The term “indivisible” comes from the Latin word “indivisibilis,” which means “not able to be divided.” This is derived from the Latin roots “in-” meaning “not” and “dividere,” meaning “to divide.”
1. Proto-Indo-European (PIE)
The PIE root “*dwe-” means “to divide” or “to separate.”
2. Latin
From the PIE root, the Latin word “dividere” developed, meaning “to divide.” The adjective “indivisibilis” combines “in-” (not) and “dividere” (to divide), meaning “not able to be divided.”
3. Old French (c. 9th to 14th century CE)
The Latin term “indivisibilis” evolved into Old French “indivisible,” meaning “not able to be divided.”
4. Middle English (c. 11th to 15th century CE)
The Old French “indivisible” was adopted into Middle English as “indivisible,” retaining the meaning of “not able to be divided.”
5. Modern English (from 15th century CE to present)
The term “indivisible” evolved into its current form and pronunciation, retaining the meaning of “incapable of being divided or separated.”
Phonetic Evolution
Over time, the pronunciation of “indivisible” has remained relatively stable from Old French to Modern English.
Usage Examples
- “Indivisible is often used to describe something that cannot be separated into parts.”
- “Another example of ‘indivisible’ in a sentence is ‘The nation is indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.'”
Cultural or Historical Notes
The development of the word “indivisible” was significantly influenced by philosophical and political contexts that emphasize unity and cohesion, such as the Pledge of Allegiance in the United States.
The word “indivisible” reflects the concept of being unable to be divided or separated, emphasizing the importance of unity and wholeness in various contexts, including social, political, and philosophical realms.