irradicable
UK[ɪˈrædɪkəbl̩]US[ɪˈrædɪkəbl̩]
adj
impossible to remove or destroy
adj
(of beliefs, habits, or diseases) impossible to get rid of
Morpheme Breakdown
ir
radic
able
ir
not
radic
root
able
capable of
Etymology
the word 'irradicable' is built upon the latin foundation for "root", radix. the core concept of being rooted is central to its meaning. the suffix '-able' (from latin '-abilis') attaches to form 'radicable', meaning capable of being rooted out. finally, the negative prefix 'in-', assimilated to 'ir-' before the 'r', is added to create the opposite sense. thus, the literal construction "not capable of being rooted out" perfectly captures the modern abstract meaning of something so deeply ingrained or established that it cannot be removed or eradicated.
Analysis
Structure: ir (not) + radic (root) + able (capable of)
- ir: a latin prefix meaning "not" or "without", a variant of 'in-' used before 'r'.
- radic: from latin 'radix, radic-' meaning "root".
- able: a latin-derived suffix via old french, meaning "capable of, fit for, tending to".
Examples
the superstition was so deeply embedded in the culture that it proved irradicable.
he had an irradicable optimism that no misfortune could shake.
the disease was once thought irradicable, but modern medicine has found a cure.