unpaid
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Meaning
not receiving payment for work done
(of a debt, bill, etc.) not yet paid
Structure
Usage
she did a lot of unpaid work for the charity.
the invoice remains unpaid after 60 days.
he took unpaid leave to care for his family.
Etymology
The word 'unpaid' is a straightforward English compound formed by adding the native English negative prefix 'un-' to the past participle 'paid'. The core verb 'pay' has a rich history, originating from the Latin 'pacare', meaning "to pacify or appease," reflecting the ancient concept of settling a debt to satisfy an obligation. The prefix 'un-', with its roots in Old English, is one of the most common and productive means of forming negatives in the language. Thus, 'unpaid' logically constructs its meaning from the literal combination "not having been satisfied or settled in terms of money owed," applicable to both labor and financial obligations.
Analysis
- un: a prefix of germanic origin (old english) meaning "not" or "the opposite of". it functions as a negative particle. - paid: the past participle of the verb 'pay', from middle english 'payen', from old french 'paier', from latin 'pacare' meaning "to pacify, satisfy (a creditor)". it functions as the core lexical element.