Uncontrollable

/ʌnkənˈtroʊləbəl/ adjective

Definition

Unable to be controlled, stopped, or managed; wild or unruly in a way that can't be fixed by normal methods.

Etymology

From 'un-' (not) plus 'controllable,' which comes from Latin 'contra' (against) and 'rotula' (wheel). The word was built from modern control terminology and the prefix 'un-' to describe something that defies control.

Kelly Says

The word 'control' comes from Old French words meaning 'against' (contra) and 'wheel' (rotula)—it literally meant checking something against a copy, like rolling a wheel against another to verify it matched! So 'uncontrollable' means you can't even verify or check it.

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