indestructible

Forms

indestructible (plural indestructibles)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Late Latin indestructibilis (“indestructible”),^[2][3][1] formed of in- (“not”) and dēstructibilis (“destructible”).^[3][2] The GLLF, the Petit Robert and Littré instead analyse it as formed from French in- + destructible;^[4][5][6] Bloch and Wartburg list it among the derivatives of destructeur.^[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in Leibniz, whose use the Trévoux dictionary cites; the TLFi dates it before 1752, the Grand Robert between 1685 and 1716, Bloch and Wartburg and the Petit Robert to the late 17th century.^[2][3][7][5] It meant “that cannot be destroyed”.^[2]

Semantic evolution

Raynal used it in 1770 of what seems unable to be destroyed, and Voltaire in 1769, figuratively, of what nothing can wipe out or abolish, such as a bond or a memory.^[4] The noun indestructibilité was derived from it.^[2][5]

Timeline

• 1685–1716 – Leibniz uses indestructible.^[3][2]
• 1769 – Voltaire uses it figuratively.^[4]
• 1770 – Raynal uses it of what seems indestructible.^[4]
• 1771 – The Trévoux dictionary records it, citing Leibniz.^[4]

Meanings

Adjective

1. That cannot be destroyed, or seems unable to be: une forteresse indestructible.^[5][2]
2. (figurative) Lasting a very long time, that nothing can break: une amitié indestructible.^[5][4]

Word family

• indestructibilité

Related words

• destructible
• destruction
• détruire

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
3. ^ a b c d Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e f Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ a b Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France