'indelible' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'indelibilis,' where 'in-' meant 'not' and 'delere' meant 'to delete or destroy.'

'indelibilis' transformed into the French word 'indélébile,' and eventually became the modern English word 'indelible' through Middle English.

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