unrepresentative
Meaning
not typical of a group, class, or body of opinion.
Structure
Usage
the small sample was unrepresentative of the population as a whole.
his views are unrepresentative of the majority of party members.
the survey was criticized for using an unrepresentative selection of voters.
Etymology
The word "unrepresentative" is built upon the core verb "represent," which entered English from Latin via Old French. Its Latin ancestor, representare, carried the sense of "to present again or vividly," built on the idea of "being present" (praesens). The prefix "un-," of Old English origin, is a prolific negator attached to the adjective form "representative." The suffix "-ative," also from Latin, solidifies the adjectival nature. Thus, the term's literal construction—"not having the quality of standing for or depicting"—logically yields its modern meaning of not being typical or characteristic of a larger whole.
Analysis
- un: a prefix of germanic origin (old english) meaning "not," used to form negatives. - represent: from latin representare, from re- (expressing intensive force) + praesentare ("to present"). the core praes- is from praeesse ("to be before, be in charge"), from prae- ("before") + esse ("to be"). - ative: a suffix of latin origin (-ativus), used to form adjectives meaning "of, relating to, or tending to."