in-

in-¹ in, into, on

Pronunciation

• Classical: [ɪn]^[1]
• Ecclesiastical: [in]^[1]

Forms

in- (assimilated il- before l, im- before b, m and p, ir- before r, i- before gn)^[2][3]

Etymology

The local prefix is inherited from Proto-Italic *en- (“in”), the preposition in used in compounds.^[1][2] Like the preposition, it continues Proto-Indo-European *h₁(e)n (“in”); ⟨en⟩ became ⟨in⟩ regularly in unstressed syllables and before several consonants, and ⟨in⟩ was then generalised.^[3] Old Latin also had the extended forms ⟨endo-⟩ and ⟨indu-⟩ (see endo), which survive in induō and indolēs.^[2][3]

Cognate with the preverbs Oscan em- and Umbrian en-.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It combines, usually with verbs, in the local and transferred senses of the preposition: “in, into”, “on, upon”, “against”.^[2][1] It can also simply strengthen the verb, as in increpō and īnsonō,^[2] and with inchoative verbs it marks a change that starts or is partly completed.^[1]

Meanings

Prefix

1. In, into, within, with verbs of motion and position.^[2][1]
2. On, upon; against; towards.^[1][2]
3. (intensive) Strengthening the sense of the simple verb.^[2][1]
4. With inchoative verbs, the beginning or partial completion of a change.^[1]

Word family

• induō
• incendō
• inclūdō
• ineō
• īnscrībō
• invādō
• increpō
• impōnō
• immittō
• irrumpō
• illūstrō

in-² not, un-

Pronunciation

• Classical: [ɪn]^[1]
• Ecclesiastical: [in]^[1]

Forms

in- (assimilated il- before l, im- before b, m and p, ir- before r, i- before gn)^[2][3]

Etymology

The negative prefix is inherited from Proto-Italic *n̥- (“not, un-”), inherited from Proto-Indo-European *n̥- (“not, un-”), the zero grade of the negative particle *né (“not”).^[3][1][2] The form ⟨in-⟩ arose regularly before consonants and then replaced ⟨*en-⟩ before vowels.^[3]

Cognate with Oscan an- and Umbrian an-, Old Irish in-, Sanskrit अ- (a-), Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-), Old High German un- and English un-.^[3][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is found from the Twelve Tables (c. 450 BC) on,^[3][4] as a negative prefix.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It negates adjectives and participles, giving the opposite of the simple word, and with nouns it forms privative adjectives such as inermis “unarmed”, from arma.^[2][3] In Sabellic the same prefix stands only before adjectives and participles in ⟨-to-⟩.^[3]

Italian inherited it, and French, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan and Middle English took it over in learned words;^[1][5] English has it as in-, il-, im- and ir-.^[1][5]

Meanings

Prefix

1. not, un-, non-: forming the opposite of adjectives and participles.^[2][1]
2. (privative) Without, lacking: forming adjectives from nouns.^[2][3]

Word family

• ignōtus
• infirmus
• iniūstus
• immortālis
• impius
• incertus
• inimīcus
• ignārus
• imprūdēns
• īnfāns
• innocēns