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 whole ceramic vase stands beside its crushed, opened shipping box.
adjective

intact

in-TAKT/ɪnˈtækt/

Remaining whole and undamaged.

Etymology
inLatinnot; without
+tactLatintouch

The pieces express “not touched.” The image of something left untouched connects directly to being uninjured or undamaged, with its wholeness preserved.

Full entry

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