rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: in-
Latin

in-

not; without

Forms

  • in-
  • im- — Used before b, m, or p in Latin.
  • il- — Used before l in Latin.
  • ir- — Used before r in Latin.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *n̥-, the unstressed negative form associated with *ne, ‘not.’

Note

Unrelated to the Latin in- meaning ‘in’ or ‘into,’ despite their matching forms.

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A person attempts to enter a fenced protected area through a cut fence while a park ranger stops the intruder, small indispensable prohibition pictogram only, no words.
adjective / noun

illegal

ih-LEE-guhl/ɪˈliːɡl/

Contrary to the requirements of law.

Etymology
ilLatinnot; without
+legalLatinpertaining to law

Latin legalis described what pertained to law. With the negative prefix, illegal means contrary to law, not simply unrelated to legal matters.

Full entry

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