irreversible
Meaning: Not able to be undone, reversed, or restored to a former condition; permanent.
Irreversible is widely used in science, medicine, and environmental discourse to describe processes or damage that cannot be reversed. In thermodynamics, an irreversible process is one that cannot spontaneously return to its initial state. In medicine, 'irreversible damage' means permanent loss of function. Common collocations include 'irreversible damage,' 'irreversible change,' 'irreversible decline,' and 'irreversible process.'
Examples
- Climate scientists warn that some effects of global warming may already be irreversible, regardless of future emissions reductions. 气候科学家警告说,全球变暖的某些影响可能已经不可逆转,无论未来如何减排。Los científicos del clima advierten de que algunos efectos del calentamiento global podrían ser ya irreversibles, con independencia de las reducciones futuras de emisiones.気候科学者たちは、地球温暖化の影響の一部は、将来の排出削減にかかわらず、すでに不可逆的である可能性があると警告している。기후과학자들은 지구온난화의 일부 영향은 향후 배출량 감축과 관계없이 이미 비가역적일 수 있다고 경고한다.
- The stroke caused irreversible damage to the left hemisphere of the brain, affecting his ability to speak. 中风对大脑左半球造成了不可逆的损伤,影响了他的语言能力。El ictus causó daños irreversibles en el hemisferio izquierdo del cerebro, afectando a su capacidad para hablar.脳卒中は脳の左半球に不可逆的な損傷を引き起こし、彼の言語能力に影響を与えた。뇌졸중은 뇌 좌반구에 비가역적 손상을 일으켜 그의 언어 능력에 영향을 미쳤다.
- The privatisation of the utility companies was presented as an irreversible reform, though critics argued that renationalisation remained an option. 公用事业公司的私有化被宣称为不可逆的改革,尽管批评者认为重新国有化仍然是一个选项。La privatización de las empresas de servicios públicos se presentó como una reforma irreversible, aunque los críticos argumentaron que la renacionalización seguía siendo una opción.公益事業会社の民営化は不可逆的な改革として提示されたが、批判者たちは再国有化は依然として選択肢であると主張した。공익기업의 민영화는 비가역적 개혁으로 제시되었지만, 비판자들은 재국유화가 여전히 선택지라고 주장했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, journalism, medical
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From 'ir-' (not) and 'reversible,' from Latin 'reversibilis,' from 'reversus' (turned back), past participle of 'revertere.' Entered English in the 17th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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