no-decision
UK[ˌnəʊ dɪˈsɪʒən]US[ˌnoʊ dɪˈsɪʒən]
n
A situation in which no official decision or verdict is reached, especially in a contest or legal proceeding.
n
A contest, such as a boxing match, that ends without a winner being declared.
Morpheme Breakdown
no
decision
no
decision
Etymology
The compound "no-decision" is a modern English formation built from two distinct elements. The first, "no," is a fundamental negative adverb with roots in Old English "nā," itself from the Proto-Germanic "nai" (never), ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European "ne" (not). The second, "decision," entered English via Middle French from the Latin "dēcīsiōnem," derived from the verb "dēcīdere" meaning "to cut off, determine," which combines "dē-" (off) and "caedere" (to cut). The literal logic of "cutting off" debate evolved into the abstract sense of reaching a conclusion. Therefore, "no-decision" transparently signifies the absence or lack of such a conclusive settlement, a concept applied to contexts from sports to law where a definitive outcome is not produced.
Analysis
Structure: no + decision
no: From Old English "nā" (not any, not at all), functioning as a negative particle.
decision: From Latin "dēcīsiōn-" (stem of "dēcīsiō", meaning a cutting off, settlement), functioning as the core noun denoting the act or result of deciding.
Examples
The jury was deadlocked, resulting in a no-decision on the major charges.
The championship fight ended in a disappointing no-decision after an accidental headbutt in the third round.
The regulatory review concluded with a no-decision, leaving the proposed policy in limbo.