uncoordinated

uncoordinated

UK[ˌʌnkəʊˈɔːdɪneɪtɪd]US[ˌʌnkoʊˈɔːrdɪneɪtɪd]
adj

Not properly planned or organized; lacking order or synchronization.

adj

(of a person or their movements) Lacking physical grace or control; clumsy.

Morpheme Breakdown

un
co
ordinated
un

not

co

together

ordinated

arranged

Etymology

The word 'uncoordinated' is built upon the core concept of 'order' from the Latin ordo. The verb 'coordinate' literally means "to arrange together" (co- + ordinate). The prefix 'un-' is a common Germanic negation, applied to negate the state of being arranged together. Thus, the literal morphemic meaning is "not arranged together." This evolved from the concrete idea of physical or military units not being in proper rank and file to the modern abstract meanings of lacking organization in plans or lacking harmony and control in physical movements.

Analysis

Structure: un (not) + co (together) + ordinated (arranged) - un: A prefix of Germanic origin (Old English) meaning "not," used to form negatives. - co: A prefix from Latin (cum) meaning "together, with, jointly." - ordinated: Derived from the past participle of the verb "ordinate," which comes from Latin ordinare (to arrange, put in order), from ordo (order, row, rank).

Examples

The project failed due to uncoordinated efforts between the departments.

His uncoordinated attempts at dancing drew a few sympathetic smiles.

The rescue operation was criticized for being slow and uncoordinated.