non-working

The word "non-working" is a modern English compound formed by the straightforward combination of the negative prefix "non-" and the present participle "working." The prefix "non-" derives from Latin non, meaning "not," a strengthened form of the Old Latin noenum (from ne- "not" + oinom "one"). The base "working" originates from the Old English verb wyrcan, meaning "to perform, do, make," which has Proto-Germanic roots. The compound's logic is transparent and literal, directly applying the negation to the state of being engaged in labor or being in operational condition, reflecting a pattern common in technical and administrative language to create precise antonyms.

Structure: non (not) + working (functioning) - non: A prefix of Latin origin, meaning "not." It functions as a negative or privative prefix. - working: A present participle or gerund of the verb "work," from Old English wyrcan. It functions as the base word indicating activity or function.