Invalidity

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The quality or state of lacking legal force, soundness, or effectiveness due to defects or violations of required conditions
2. The condition of being void or without legal effect due to various flaws or failures to meet established requirements
3. The state of having no validity or legal standing because of procedural errors or non-compliance with necessary criteria

Etymology: The word "invalidity" is simply "invalid" with the suffix "-ity" added, and "invalid" itself traces back through Latin. Its root is "validus," meaning "strong" or "powerful," from the verb "valere," "to be strong, be well." Through Middle French "valide" it entered English as "valid," and the prefix "in-" (not) produced "invalid," meaning not strong enough, not binding. Ordinary speakers still use "valid" to mean "legally binding" or "sound," so the legal sense of "invalid" is the older, more central one. The suffix "-ity" comes from Latin "-itas," which turned adjectives into nouns of quality. English took it in through Old French "-ite" and Middle English "-ite," and it became "-ity" in the modern form. Adding it to "invalid" gives a noun for the state of being void or unfounded.

Synonyms: voidness, nullity

Antonyms: validity, legitimacy