untaxed
Meaning
not subject to taxation; exempt from tax.
Structure
Usage
the interest earned on these savings bonds is completely untaxed.
many charities operate on untaxed income due to their non-profit status.
some basic groceries remain untaxed to help lower-income families.
Etymology
The word 'untaxed' is a Modern English formation built upon the well-established verb 'tax'. The core root 'tax' entered English in the 14th century from the Old French 'taxer', itself derived from the Latin 'taxare', meaning to evaluate or censure, which carried a sense of imposing an obligation. The Germanic prefix 'un-' is systematically appended to adjectives to denote negation, a pattern deeply embedded in the language. The suffix '-ed' is added to the noun 'tax' to create an adjective describing the state of being subject to that charge; thus, 'untaxed' logically and transparently means "not placed in the state of being charged a tax."
Analysis
- un: a prefix of germanic origin (old english) meaning "not," forming a negative or opposite force. - tax: from the latin 'taxare' (to censure, charge, compute), via old french. in this word, it functions as the core root meaning a compulsory financial charge. - ed: an adjectival suffix of germanic origin (old english) used to form adjectives from nouns or verbs, indicating a state or condition.