Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “invariable” come from?

Invariable derives from Old French invariable, from Latin in- (not) prefixed to Latin variabilis (changeable), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning not and to go.

invariable (English): Not variable; unalterable; uniform; always having...

Definitions

  1. Not variable; unalterable; uniform; always having...

Ancestry of “invariable”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishvariableAble to vary or be varied; Likely to vary; Marked...
2Old Frenchvariable—
3Latinvariāre—
4Latinvariusdiverse, different, various, variegated
5Latinvārus—
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂wer-to lift up; to moisten; to flow; to raise, hang
7Proto-Indo-Europeanwēr-true
8Proto-Indo-Europeanwer-to burn; to cover, heed, notice; squirrel

Words derived from “invariable”

  • invariably
  • invariableness
  • invar
Every word from Proto-Indo-European wer- →