irreparable
UK[ɪˈrepərəbl]US[ɪˈrepərəbl]
adj
(of damage, loss, or injury) impossible to rectify or repair.
Morpheme Breakdown
ir
reparable
ir
not
reparable
able to be repaired
Etymology
the word 'irreparable' is built upon the latin foundation of its opposite, 'reparable'. the core 'reparare' means 'to restore' or 'to put back in order', itself formed from 're-' (again) and 'parare' (to make ready). the prefix 'in-', signifying negation, was assimilated to 'ir-' before the 'r' of the root for phonetic ease. thus, the literal construction "not able to be made ready again" evolved directly into the modern abstract sense of describing a loss or damage so profound that it is beyond any possibility of restoration or repair.
Analysis
Structure: ir (not) + reparable (able to be repaired)
ir- (a form of the Latin prefix 'in-' meaning 'not'), reparable (from Latin 'reparabilis', meaning 'able to be restored')
Examples
the scandal caused irreparable damage to his reputation.
some environmentalists fear the oil spill will have irreparable consequences for the ecosystem.
the loss of the ancient manuscript was an irreparable blow to historical scholarship.