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.

Structure: un (not) + elect (choose) + able (capable of) - 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.