inviolable
Meaning: That which must not be transgressed, infringed, or dishonoured. Describes rights, principles, or boundaries regarded as sacred and untouchable.
Inviolable is a word of high register, found in legal, constitutional, and philosophical discourse. It collocates strongly with 'right,' 'principle,' 'rule,' 'sovereignty,' and 'sanctity.' Unlike 'unbreakable,' which implies physical resilience, inviolable conveys moral or legal prohibition — something that ought not to be violated, rather than something that cannot be.
Examples
- The right to a fair trial remains an inviolable principle of British justice. 公正审判权仍然是英国司法不可侵犯的原则。El derecho a un juicio justo sigue siendo un principio inviolable de la justicia británica.公正な裁判を受ける権利は、英国の司法における不可侵の原則であり続けている。공정한 재판을 받을 권리는 영국 사법의 불가침 원칙으로 남아 있다.
- He regarded the confidentiality of his sources as inviolable, even under oath. 他将消息来源的保密性视为不可侵犯的,即使在宣誓作证时也不例外。Consideraba inviolable la confidencialidad de sus fuentes, incluso bajo juramento.彼は情報源の秘匿を宣誓下においてさえ不可侵のものとみなしていた。그는 선서 하에서조차 취재원의 비밀 보호를 불가침의 것으로 여겼다.
- The treaty established the border as inviolable, ending decades of territorial dispute. 该条约确立了边界的不可侵犯性,结束了数十年的领土争端。El tratado estableció la frontera como inviolable, poniendo fin a décadas de disputa territorial.その条約は国境を不可侵と定め、数十年にわたる領土紛争に終止符を打った。그 조약은 국경을 불가침으로 확정하여 수십 년간의 영토 분쟁을 종식시켰다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: legal, political
Tone: solemn
Origin & History
From Latin inviolabilis (that cannot be violated), from in- (not) + violare (to violate). Adopted into English in the mid-16th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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