unchangeable

unchangeable

UK[ʌnˈtʃeɪndʒəbl]US[ʌnˈtʃeɪndʒəbl]
adj

not able to be changed or altered; permanent.

Morpheme Breakdown

un
change
able
un

not

change

to alter

able

capable of

Etymology

the word "unchangeable" is a modern english formation built from three distinct morphemes. the core, "change," entered english via old french from the late latin verb cambiare, meaning "to exchange or barter," which itself may have a celtic origin. this was then combined with the productive suffix "-able," from latin -abilis, to create "changeable," meaning "capable of being altered." finally, the old english negative prefix "un-" was attached, a common germanic element used to reverse the meaning. thus, the word's literal construction of "not capable of being altered" directly and logically conveys its modern sense of permanence and immutability.

Analysis

Structure: un (not) + change (to alter) + able (capable of) - un: a prefix of germanic origin (old english) meaning "not," used to form negatives. - change: a verb of latin origin (old french changier, from late latin cambiare) meaning "to make or become different." - able: a suffix of latin origin (old french -able, from latin -abilis) meaning "capable of, fit for, or worthy of."

Examples

the laws of physics are considered unchangeable.

her decision was final and unchangeable.

he had an unchangeable habit of arriving early.