inviolable
adj/ɪnˈvaɪələbl̩/
Etymology From Middle French inviolable, from Latin inviolābilis (“untouchable”), from violō (“violate”).
1
Not violable; not to be infringed.
- But come, for thou, be ſure, ſhalt give account / To him who ſent us, whoſe charge is to keep / This place inviolable, and therefore theſe from harm.1667, John Milton, “Book IV”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC, lines 842–844:
- But honeſt men’s words are Stygian oaths, and promiſes inviolable.a. 1682, Sir Thomas Browne, “Christian Morals”, in Henry Gardiner, editor, Religio Medici, together with a Letter to a Friend on the Death of His Intimate Friend and Christian Morals, London: W. Pickering, published 1845, part III, page 337:
3 more examples
- One more request, and I am lost, / If you its earnest prayer deny ; / It is, that you preserve the most / Inviolable secrecy / As to my plan.1828, Thomas Castaly, “The Recorder”, in Fanny with Other Poems, page 87:
- "Now, Mr. Jones, having obtained your promise of inviolable secrecy, I come down to the essential point."1929, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, When the World Screamed:
- "As defined by the first founders of Aya, this world and all who live on it agree to abide by the laws, customs, and regulations of a civilized society that has existed for centuries on other worlds. These rules of conduct ensure a voice for each family within our society and gives them certain inviolable rights..."2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Charter Governing Citizens of Aya, Revised, Task: Laws and Customs:
2
Not susceptible to violence, or of being profaned, corrupted, or dishonoured.
3
Incapable of being injured or invaded; indestructible.
- Derived terms
- inviolability, inviolableness, inviolably