Invincibility

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ɪnˌvɪn.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/

Definitions

1. The quality or condition of being impossible to be defeated, overcome, or conquered
2. A state in which one cannot be beaten or surpassed in strength, power, or ability
3. The characteristic of being undefeatable and immune to failure or harm

Etymology: "Invincibility" is a straightforward formation: it is the noun form of "invincible," built from the Latin prefix "in-" meaning "not" and "vincere," "to conquer." The Latin root "vincere" also gave English "victory," "convince" and "vanquish," so the same idea of overcoming runs through a whole family of words. Latin "invincibilitas" was formed from "invincibilis," "unconquerable," and English took the noun over through Middle French "invincibilité." The word's core meaning has stayed close to its Latin sense: a state of being impossible to defeat. What has shifted is its typical use, which now appears just as often in everyday speech about sports teams, brands or personal confidence as it does in discussions of armies or fortresses. The underlying logic, a thing that cannot be made to yield, is unchanged from its earliest uses.

Synonyms: unconquerability, invulnerability, impenetrability, indomitableness, unyieldingness

Antonyms: vulnerability, defeat, weakness, fragility, susceptibility