invalidity
UK[ˌɪnvəˈlɪdəti]US[ˌɪnvəˈlɪdəti]
n
The state of being officially or legally unacceptable.
n
The condition of being physically or mentally weak and ill.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
valid
ity
in
not
valid
sound, strong
ity
state or condition
Etymology
The word "invalidity" is built upon the Latin adjective validus, meaning "strong, powerful, or effective", which itself derives from the verb valere ("to be strong, be well"). The prefix in- negates this core, creating the sense of "not strong" or "not effective". The suffix -ity, borrowed into English via Old French, nominalizes this concept, transforming the adjective "invalid" into the abstract noun denoting the state or condition of lacking strength, effectiveness, or legal force. Thus, the term's journey encapsulates a shift from a physical concept of strength in Latin to encompass both medical frailty and legal nullity in modern English.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + valid (sound, strong) + ity (state or condition)
- in: Latin origin. A prefix meaning "not".
- valid: Latin origin, from 'validus' meaning "strong, powerful, effective". In this word, it functions as the core root.
- ity: Latin origin via French. A noun-forming suffix indicating a state, condition, or quality.
Examples
The court ruled on the invalidity of the contract due to a missing signature.
Prolonged invalidity following the accident forced him into early retirement.
The lawyer argued for the invalidity of the patent based on prior art.