'inalienable' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'inalienabilis,' where 'in-' meant 'not' and 'alienare' meant 'to transfer ownership.'

'inalienabilis' transformed into the French word 'inaliénable,' and eventually became the modern English word 'inalienable' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'not able to be transferred,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.