non-responsive

The word 'non-responsive' is a modern English formation built upon the established adjective 'responsive.' Its core, 'respons,' originates from the Latin verb 'respondere,' meaning "to answer or promise in return," itself a compound of 're-' (back) and 'spondere' (to pledge). The suffix '-ive' was added in Late Latin to create adjectives indicating a tendency or capacity. The prefix 'non-,' a straightforward negation from Latin, was later attached to reverse the meaning. Thus, the literal construction "not having the tendency to answer back" evolved into the modern abstract sense of failing to react or engage, whether in communication, medicine, or technology.

Structure: non (not) + respons (answer) + ive (adjective suffix) non: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "not." respons: From Latin 'respondere' (to answer, reply), functioning as the core root. ive: Latin suffix '-ivus,' forming adjectives meaning "tending to" or "having the nature of."