non-historical
UK[ˌnɒn hɪˈstɒrɪkəl]US[ˌnɑːn hɪˈstɔːrɪkəl]
adj
Not based on or concerned with historical events or records; not historical.
Morpheme Breakdown
non
historical
non
not
historical
pertaining to history
Etymology
The word is a modern English compound formed by attaching the Latin-derived negative prefix 'non-' to the existing adjective 'historical.' The base 'historical' traces back to the Greek 'historia,' meaning "inquiry, knowledge acquired by investigation," which itself originates from the verb 'historein,' "to inquire." The prefix 'non-' is a straightforward negator, entering English from Latin. Thus, 'non-historical' logically constructs its meaning by directly negating the concept of being related to documented inquiry or recorded past events, denoting something that exists outside or independent of historical framework or validation.
Analysis
Structure: non (not) + historical (pertaining to history)
- non: A prefix of Latin origin, meaning "not." It functions as a negative particle.
- historical: An adjective of Greek origin (via Latin), from 'histor-' (inquiry, narrative) + the adjectival suffix '-ical.' It functions as the base word meaning "of or concerning history."
Examples
The author took a non-historical approach to the novel, setting it in a purely mythical world.
His argument was dismissed as non-historical because it relied on legend rather than archival evidence.
The film is a fun, non-historical fantasy that makes no claim to accuracy.