Where does “inoperative” come from?
Inoperative derives from Middle English in- prefixed to operative, with the in- prefix coming from Latin in- (not), itself from Latin in (in), ultimately traceable through Proto-Indo-European ne (not), oyd- (to go), en (in), and en (in).
inoperative (English): Not working or functioning; either idle or...
Definitions
- Not working or functioning; either idle or...
Ancestry of “inoperative”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | operative | Effectual or important; Functional, in working... |
| 2 | Middle English | operative | — |
| 3 | Middle French | operatif | — |
| 4 | Latin | operativus | creative, formative |
| 5 | Latin | operō | — |
| 6 | Latin | Opus | The capital city of the Locri and birthplace of Patroclus |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | Ὀποῦς | Opus, Greece |
| 8 | Ancient Greek | ὀπός | juice, vegetable/plant juice; fig-juice |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | sokʷós | juice of plants |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | sekʷ- | to follow; to see; to say |