unsystematic

unsystematic

UK[ˌʌn.sɪs.təˈmæt.ɪk]US[ˌʌn.sɪs.təˈmæt̬.ɪk]
adj

Not done or acting according to a fixed plan or system; unmethodical.

Morpheme Breakdown

un
system
atic
un

not

system

organized whole

atic

adjective suffix

Etymology

The word 'unsystematic' is a modern English formation built upon the established adjective 'systematic.' The core, 'system,' entered English in the early 17th century from Late Latin systema, which itself was borrowed from Greek sustēma, meaning "organized whole, body." The Greek term derives from syn- (together) and histanai (to set, to stand), conveying the idea of parts standing together as a unified whole. The suffix '-atic' was added to form 'systematic,' meaning "pertaining to or constituting a system." Finally, the Old English negative prefix 'un-' was attached to create the direct antonym, describing something that lacks the organized, methodical quality of a system.

Analysis

Structure: un (not) + system (organized whole) + atic (adjective suffix) - un: A prefix of Germanic origin (Old English un-), meaning "not." It is a highly productive negative prefix in English. - system: A noun of Greek origin, from sustēma (whole compounded of several parts). In this word, it functions as the core root. - atic: An adjective-forming suffix, ultimately from Latin -aticus (via Greek -atikos and French -atique), meaning "pertaining to" or "characterized by."

Examples

His research notes were unsystematic and difficult to follow.

The company's approach to filing was completely unsystematic.

We need to replace this unsystematic process with a clear, standardized procedure.