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.

63 / 253
White man steps onto a visibly cracked ladder ignoring its weakness.
noun

imprudence

im-PROO-dunts/ɪmˈpruːdns/

Lack of sensible caution or practical judgment.

Etymology
imLatinnot; without
+prudLatinto foresee; provide
+enceLatina state or quality

The base means 'to foresee,' so imprudence originally expresses a lack of foresight. That connects heedlessness about what may happen with the present sense of poor judgment or insufficient caution.

Full entry

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