Unquenchable
/ʌnˈkwen.tʃə.bəl/noun
Not able to be extinguished, satisfied, or brought to an end.
Did you know?The verb “quench” once referred not only to extinguishing fire but also to satisfying thirst, which is why an unquenchable hunger can be literal or metaphorical.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ne
“A basic negative particle meaning “not” or “no,” ancestor of the negative element in “un-.””
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*un-
“A negative prefix meaning “not” or “the opposite of.””
Old English
Old English
un-
“The productive negative prefix used to reverse or deny a quality.”
Old English
Old English
ācwencan
“To extinguish or put out, especially a fire; the ancestor of “quench.””
Middle English
Middle English
quenchen
“To extinguish, suppress, or satisfy thirst.”
Modern English
English
unquenchable
“Incapable of being extinguished, satisfied, or ended.”