Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “unworkable” come from?

Unworkable derives from English work, which traces through Proto-Indo-European óynos and ano- to the root wreg-, meaning to turn or twist.

unworkable (English): Not workable or operable; not practical;...

Definitions

  1. Not workable or operable; not practical;...

Ancestry of “unworkable”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishworkableCapable of functioning; Able to be worked or...
2Englishwork"Employment."; "Effort."; Sustained effort to...
3EnglishlacquerworkArtistic or decorative work made with lacquer
4EnglishlacquerA glossy, resinous material used as a surface...
5Frenchlacquea sort of sealing wax
6Portugueselacalake; lac
7Persianلاک—
8Urduلاکھlakh, lac
9Maharastri Prakrit𑀮𑀓𑁆𑀔—
10Sanskritलक्षa mark, sign, token; a mark to aim at, target,...
11Sanskritलक्ष्perceive, observe; recognise; to mark, sign
12Sanskritरक्ष्to protect, guard, watch, take care of, save,...
13Proto-Indo-AryanHrakṣ-—
14Proto-Indo-IranianHrakš-—

Words derived from “unworkable”

  • unworkably
Every word from Proto-Indo-Iranian Hrakš- →