unbearably
unbearably
UK[ʌnˈbeərəbli]US[ʌnˈberəbli]
adv
to an extreme degree; in a way that is too unpleasant, painful, or severe to accept or deal with.
Morpheme Breakdown
un
bear
ably
un
not
bear
endure
ably
in a manner of
Etymology
the word "unbearably" is a layered construction built upon the old english verb beran, meaning "to carry" or "to bear," which traces back to the proto-indo-european root bher-, carrying the same fundamental sense. the addition of the latin-derived suffix -able (via french) transformed the verb into the adjective "bearable," meaning "able to be endured." the prefix un-, of germanic origin, then negates this to form "unbearable," meaning "not able to be endured." finally, the adverbial suffix -ly is appended, converting the adjective into an adverb that describes an action performed to an intolerable degree. thus, the word's logic moves from the ancient concept of carrying a burden, through the capacity to endure it, to the negation of that capacity, and finally to the manner in which that state is manifested.
Analysis
Structure: un (not) + bear (endure) + ably (in a manner of)
- un: a prefix of germanic origin, meaning "not" or "opposite of". it functions as a negative particle.
- bear: from old english beran, meaning "to carry, bring, endure". in this word, it functions as the core root with the sense of "enduring".
- ably: a suffix from latin -abilis via old french -able and -ably, meaning "in a manner that can be [verb]ed". it forms adverbs from adjectives ending in -able.
Examples
the wait for the test results was unbearably long.
it was unbearably hot in the crowded subway car.
she found his arrogance unbearably irritating.