unshakeable
Meaning
(of a belief, feeling, etc.) so strong that it cannot be destroyed or changed
(of a person) having very strong and sincere beliefs, confidence, etc. that cannot be changed
Structure
Usage
she has an unshakeable faith in human goodness.
his confidence in the team's ability is unshakeable.
the evidence provided an unshakeable foundation for their theory.
Etymology
The word 'unshakeable' is a Modern English compound formed from native and borrowed elements. Its core, the verb 'shake', originates from the Old English 'sceacan', meaning to move quickly to and fro, a verb of Germanic origin with possible Proto-Indo-European roots related to fleeing or escaping. The suffix '-able', entering English via Old French from the Latin '-abilis', denotes a capacity or quality. The negating prefix 'un-', of Old English origin, is added to create the opposite meaning. Thus, the literal construction 'not capable of being shaken' evolved from a physical sense to its dominant modern abstract meaning, describing beliefs or convictions so firm they cannot be disturbed or altered.
Analysis
un- (old english, a prefix meaning 'not'); shake (old english, a verb meaning 'to move to and fro'); -able (latin via old french, an adjective-forming suffix meaning 'capable of, fit for')