Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “uncontrollable” come from?

Uncontrollable is derived from English controllable, which comes from English control, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European óynos meaning "wheel," later developing through Latin rota.

uncontrollable (English): Not able to be controlled, contained or governed

Definitions

  1. Not able to be controlled, contained or governed

Ancestry of “uncontrollable”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcontrollableAble to be controlled; subject to regulation or...
2EnglishcontrolTo exercise influence over; to suggest or dictate...
3Middle Englishcontrollento restrain or keep in check
4Middle Frenchcontrerollerto control
5Medieval Latincontrarotulare—
6Latincontrarotuluscopy of a roll
7LatinrotulusAlternative form of rotula; roll; roll of paper
8Latinrotulaa small wheel; roll
9Arabicرَطْل—
10Classical Syriacܪܝܛܠܐ—
11Classical Syriacܠܝܛܪܐlibra, pound
12Frenchlitrelitre
13Medieval Latinlitra—
14Ancient Greekλίτραlitra, a Sicilian silver coin; libra, a unit of...
15Proto-Italic*līðrā—

Words derived from “uncontrollable”

  • uncontrollably
  • uncontrollableness
Every word from Proto-Italic *līðrā →