Interminable
/ɪnˈtɜːr.mɪ.nə.bəl/noun
Lasting or seeming to last forever; endless.
Did you know?Interminable comes through Latin from a root meaning “boundary” or “end,” so its power is basically the fear of something that refuses to be contained.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ter-
“to cross over, pass through; by extension, boundary or limit”
Latin
Latin
terminus
“boundary, end, limit”
Latin
Latin
interminabilis
“endless, without limit”
Old French
Old French
interminable
“endless, unending”
14th Century
English
interminable
“endless; seemingly without end”
Modern English
English
interminable
“lasting or seeming to last forever”
Explore more surprising origins