invalidate
UK[ɪnˈvælɪdeɪt]US[ɪnˈvælɪdeɪt]
v
to make something no longer legally or officially acceptable
v
to prove that an idea, argument, or belief is wrong
Morpheme Breakdown
in
valid
ate
in
not
valid
sound
ate
verb suffix
Etymology
the word "invalidate" is a direct borrowing from medieval latin invalidatus, the past participle of invalidare, meaning "to weaken, to make void". it is constructed from the latin prefix in- (not) and the adjective validus (strong, effective). the core concept of "validus" relates to strength and soundness, particularly in a legal or logical context. therefore, the literal action of "invalidating" something is to render it "not strong" or "not sound," stripping it of its official force or logical truth. this etymological path clearly illustrates the transition from the physical idea of strength to the abstract concepts of legal authority and logical correctness.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + valid (sound) + ate (verb suffix)
- in: latin origin, a prefix meaning "not".
- valid: from latin validus meaning "strong, effective, sound".
- ate: latin-derived suffix used to form verbs meaning "to make, to cause to become".
Examples
failing to sign the form will invalidate the entire application.
the discovery of new evidence invalidated the previous theory.
a court ruling could invalidate the controversial law.