unhurt
Meaning
Not harmed or injured.
Structure
Usage
miraculously, all passengers emerged from the crash completely unhurt.
the firefighters worked tirelessly to ensure everyone was safe and unhurt.
despite the fierce competition, her confidence remained unhurt.
Etymology
The word 'unhurt' is a straightforward English compound formed by adding the native Germanic negative prefix 'un-' to the adjective 'hurt.' The prefix 'un-' descends from Proto-Germanic un-, which itself comes from the Proto-Indo-European n̥-, a primary particle of negation. The root 'hurt' entered English via Old French, but its ultimate origin is likely Frankish, a west Germanic language, from a root meaning "to ram" or "strike," which evolved to signify physical injury. Therefore, the literal construction "not injured" has remained semantically transparent from its formation to its modern abstract meaning of being free from harm.
Analysis
- un: a prefix of Germanic origin (Old English un-), meaning "not." it functions as a negative particle. - hurt: a word of Germanic origin (from old french hurter, possibly of frankish origin), meaning "to injure" or "cause pain." it functions as the root verb/adjective.