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inexpugnable (adj.)
late 15c., from Old French inexpugnable (14c.) or directly from Latin inexpugnabilis "not to be taken by assault, not to be rooted out, invincible," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + expugnabilis "assailable," from expugnare (see expugn). Figurative sense, in reference to arguments, etc., is from 1530s.
Entries linking to inexpugnable
in- (1)word-forming element meaning "not, opposite of, without" (also im-, il-, ir- by assimilation of -n- with following consonant, a tendency which began in later Latin), from Latin in- "not," cognate with Greek an-, Old English un-, all from PIE root *ne- "not."
In Old French and Middle English often en-, but most of these forms have not survived in Modern English, and the few that do (enemy, for instance) no longer are felt as negative. The rule of thumb in English has been to use in- with obviously Latin elements, un- with native or nativized ones.
In Old French and Middle English often en-, but most of these forms have not survived in Modern English, and the few that do (enemy, for instance) no longer are felt as negative. The rule of thumb in English has been to use in- with obviously Latin elements, un- with native or nativized ones.
expugn (v.)
early 15c., "eradicate, exterminate," also "conquer, capture by fighting," from Old French expugner, from Latin expugnare "to take by assault, storm, capture" (source also of Spanish expugnar, Italian espugnare), from ex (see ex-) + pugnare "to fight" (see pugnacious). Related: Expugned; expugnable.
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Definitions of inexpugnable
Dictionary entries near inexpugnable
inexpert
inexpiable
inexplicable
inexplicit
inexpressible
inexpugnable
inexpungible
inextinguishable
inextirpable
inextricable
Inez
