ClimateSeptember 2, 2026
inviolate
in-VY-uh-lit
Definition
Free from violation, injury, or disturbance; kept sacred or untouchable by law or custom.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin word 'inviolatus,' which combines the negative prefix 'in-' with 'violare,' meaning to treat with violence or dishonor. It entered English in the 16th century to describe things that must be kept sacred or unbroken.
In the news
An activist uses the word to describe how the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge was legally designated to be an untouchable sanctuary for birds. The term highlights the perceived betrayal of the refuge's foundational purpose by allowing drilling.
Trump Plans to Open Utah Wildlife Refuge to Oil, Gas Drillers
Read the full article ↗Bloomberg Law News