adjective
indispensable
in-dih-SPEN-suh-bul/ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl/
Absolutely necessary.
The taut rope is indispensable to the climber hanging without a foothold.
Etymology
Dispensare concerned distribution and administration; its word family later also covered granting exemptions. Indispensable shifted from “not subject to dispensation” to “impossible to do without.”
In context
praetorian remedies as indispensable. Civil law without the praetor was unthinkable.
More examples
- Clean water is indispensable to good health.
- Her knowledge of the equipment makes her indispensable to the team.
- A sharp knife is an indispensable tool in my kitchen.
Forms
indispensability noun — The quality of being absolutely necessary.