non-upgradeability
|non-up-grade-a-bil-i-ty|
🇺🇸
/nɑnˌʌpɡreɪdəˈbɪlɪti/
🇬🇧
/nɒnˌʌpɡreɪdəˈbɪlɪti/
(upgradeability)
can be upgraded
Etymology
'non-upgradeability' originates from modern English, formed by the prefix 'non-' + the verb 'upgrade' + the suffix '-ability', where 'non-' negates, 'upgrade' (up + grade) means 'to raise in status or improve', and '-ability' denotes 'the capacity or quality of being'.
'upgrade' itself is a relatively recent English formation (20th century), combining 'up' (Old English) and 'grade' (from Latin 'gradus' via Old French). The abstract noun-forming suffix '-ability' comes from Latin '-abilitas' via French. The negating prefix 'non-' was attached to create 'non-upgradeability' to express the opposite concept.
Initially, 'upgrade' primarily meant 'raise in rank or grade'; with technological usage it came to mean 'improve software/hardware'. 'Non-upgradeability' evolved as a technical term to mean specifically 'incapable of being upgraded' in hardware/software contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or quality of not being able to be upgraded; inability or impossibility to perform an upgrade (often used for hardware, software, or systems).
Customers complained about the product's non-upgradeability, which limited its lifespan.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/07 13:49