inoperative
UK[ɪnˈɒpərətɪv]US[ɪnˈɑːpərətɪv]
adj
Not working or taking effect; not functioning.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
operative
in
not
operative
working
Etymology
The word 'inoperative' is a direct negation formed in English by applying the Latin-derived negative prefix 'in-' to the adjective 'operative'. 'Operative' itself traces back to the Latin verb operari, meaning "to work", which is derived from opus (work). The core concept of work or effort from opus evolved into the functional sense of "working" in 'operative'. Therefore, 'inoperative' logically and literally means "not working", a meaning that has remained consistent from its formation to its modern legal and technical usage describing laws, systems, or mechanisms that are void or non-functional.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + operative (working)
- 'in': A Latin prefix meaning "not" or "without".
- 'operative': From Latin operativus, from operari meaning "to work". It functions as the base word meaning "working" or "effective".
Examples
The clause was declared inoperative by the court.
The safety mechanism became inoperative after the power failure.
The old regulations are now inoperative and have been replaced.