Insubstantial
/ˌɪnsəbˈstænʃəl/noun
Not substantial; lacking solidity, mass, or real substance.
Did you know?Insubstantial comes through Latin from a root meaning “to stand,” so its history is basically a linguistic spell for something that cannot hold its ground.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*stā-
“to stand”
Latin
Latin
substantia
“substance; essence; that which stands under”
Late Latin
Latin
insubstantialis
“not substantial; lacking essence or substance”
Middle English
English
insubstauncial
“not having substance; unreal or flimsy”
Modern English
English
insubstantial
“lacking solidity, strength, or real substance”