irremovability
|ir-re-mov-a-bil-i-ty|
/ˌɪrɪməvəˈbɪlɪti/
cannot be removed
Etymology
'irremovability' originates from Latin and later English formation: the verb 'remove' comes from Latin 'removēre' (re- 'back' + movēre 'to move'), the negative prefix 'ir-' is an English form (from Latin 'in-' meaning 'not'), and the nominalizing suffix '-ability' comes from Latin '-abilitas' meaning 'capable of'.
'removēre' (Latin) > Old French/Anglo-Norman 'removre'/'remover' > Middle English 'removen'/'remove' > English 'remove' + suffixes produced 'removability' and with negative prefix became 'irremovability'.
Initially built from elements meaning 'not' + 'able to be moved', it has retained that core sense: 'not able to be removed,' with secondary legal/institutional senses developing (e.g., protection from dismissal).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality or state of being impossible to remove; inability to be taken away, detached, or eliminated.
The irremovability of the stain frustrated the restoration team.
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Noun 2
a state of protection from dismissal or displacement (for example, legal or institutional protection that makes a person or office not removable).
Debates about judicial irremovability focus on how to balance independence and accountability.
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Last updated: 2025/09/05 22:41