infrangible

adjective

in·​fran·​gi·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈfran-jə-bəl 

1

: not capable of being broken or separated into parts

infrangible iron bars

2

: not to be infringed or violated

infrangible laws

infrangibility

(ˌ)in-ˌfran-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

infrangibly

(ˌ)in-ˈfran-jə-blē 

adverb

Did you know?

Infrangible comes to us via Middle French from the Late Latin infrangibilis and is ultimately derived from the prefix in- and the Latin verb frangere, meaning "to break." (Believe it or not, our "break" is ultimately derived from the same ancient word that gave rise to "frangere.") "Infrangible" first appeared in print in English in the 16th century with the literal meaning "impossible to break"; it was later extended metaphorically to things that cannot or should not be broken.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Late Latin infrangibilis, from Latin in- + frangere to break — more at break

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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