unacceptably

unacceptably

UK[ˌʌn.əkˈsep.tə.bli]US[ˌʌn.əkˈsep.tə.bli]
adv

to a degree that is not satisfactory or allowable

Morpheme Breakdown

un
accept
ably
un

not

accept

receive

ably

in a manner of

Etymology

the word "unacceptably" is a layered construction built upon the core latin verb accipere, meaning "to take to oneself, receive." the frequentative form acceptare gave rise to the english verb "accept." the latin suffix -abilis, denoting capability, was attached to form the adjective "acceptable," meaning "able to be received or approved." the germanic negative prefix "un-" was then added to create "unacceptable," signifying "not able to be approved." finally, the adverbial suffix "-ly," derived from old english, was appended to form the adverb describing an action performed in an "unacceptable" manner. thus, the word's logic traces a clear path from the literal act of receiving to the modern abstract judgment of something being done in an unsatisfactory way.

Analysis

Structure: un (not) + accept (receive) + ably (in a manner of) - un: a prefix of germanic origin (old english) meaning "not," used to form negatives. - accept: a verb from latin acceptare, a frequentative of accipere meaning "to take, receive." - ably: an adverbial suffix from latin -abilis (via old french -able and -ably), meaning "in a manner that can be."

Examples

the delay in the project's completion was unacceptably long.

the levels of pollution in the river have risen unacceptably.

the service at the restaurant was unacceptably poor for the price.