nonselectivity
|non-se-lec-tiv-i-ty|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑn.sɪˈlɛk.tɪ.vɪ.ti/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒn.sɪˈlɛk.tɪ.vɪ.ti/
not selective; lacking specificity
Etymology
'nonselectivity' originates from Modern English, specifically formed by the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non', meaning 'not') plus the noun 'selectivity'.
'selectivity' developed from the adjective 'selective' + the nominalizing suffix '-ity'; 'selective' derives from Latin 'selectus' (past participle of 'seligere', from se- 'apart' + legere 'to pick, choose'). The prefix 'non-' was later attached in Modern English to form 'nonselectivity'.
Originally related to 'select' meaning 'to choose', the derived word 'selectivity' came to mean 'degree of choosing or specificity'; 'nonselectivity' evolved as the antonym meaning absence of that specificity.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality or state of not being selective; lack of selection or discrimination when choosing among options.
The committee's nonselectivity resulted in a widely varied pool of applicants.
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Noun 2
(Technical) The tendency of a substance, method, or drug to affect multiple targets or to act without specificity (opposite of selectivity or specificity).
Researchers noted the nonselectivity of the reagent, which reacted with several types of compounds.
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Last updated: 2025/12/08 00:02