Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “undefinable” come from?

Undefinable comes from English define, from Proto-Indo-European óynos, combining Latin de with Proto-Indo-European ano-, meaning "away" and "one."

undefinable (English): Not definable; Anything that cannot be defined

Definitions

  1. Not definable; Anything that cannot be defined

Ancestry of “undefinable”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishdefinableAble to be defined
2EnglishdefineTo determine with precision; to mark out with...
3Middle Englishdefinen—
4Old Frenchdefinerto finish; to end
5Latindēfīniō—
6Latindē-—
7Latindē—
8Latinpostbehind; after, since, besides, except; behind,...
9Latinposteablative singular of postis
10Proto-Italicposti—
11Proto-Indo-Europeanpósti—
12Proto-Indo-Europeanpósafterwards, post; by, at
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pós →