unelectable
Meaning
not likely to be elected, especially because of qualities or policies that make people not want to vote for you
Structure
Usage
his controversial stance on the issue made him unelectable in the general election.
the party concluded that the candidate was simply unelectable due to low popularity ratings.
they are searching for a candidate with broad appeal, as they cannot afford to run someone unelectable.
Etymology
The word "unelectable" is a Modern English formation built upon the established adjective "electable". The core root "elect" descends from the Latin verb eligere, meaning "to pick out or choose", which itself is composed of e- (out) and legere (to gather, pick). The suffix "-able", of Latin origin via French, attaches to verbs to create adjectives meaning "fit for" the action. The Old English negative prefix "un-" is then added to invert the meaning. Thus, the literal morphemic construction "not capable of being chosen" evolved into the contemporary political term describing a candidate deemed incapable of winning an election.
Analysis
- un: a prefix of english origin, from old english, meaning "not". it functions as a negative particle. - elect: a root of latin origin, from latin eligere meaning "to pick out, choose". it functions as the core lexical base. - able: a suffix of latin origin, via old french, from latin -abilis, meaning "capable of, fit for". it functions as an adjective-forming suffix.