non-degradable

The word is a modern scientific compound formed in English. The core, "degradable," stems from the Latin verb 'degradare,' meaning "to reduce in rank or status," which itself is built from 'de-' (down) and 'gradus' (step). In scientific terminology, this concept was metaphorically extended to mean the breaking down of a substance's complex structure. The Anglo-French/Latin prefix 'non-' (not) is directly attached to negate this capability. Thus, "non-degradable" literally and logically describes a material that cannot be stepped down or broken apart by environmental processes, a critical concept in environmental science and materials engineering.

Structure: non (not) + degradable (capable of being broken down) - non: A prefix of Latin origin, meaning "not." It functions as a negative particle. - degradable: An adjective of Latin origin (from 'degradare'), meaning "capable of being broken down." It functions as the core descriptive element.