Nontransferably

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a manner that prevents or disallows the passing or conveying of rights, ownership, or privileges from one party to another in any form
2. Describing the condition or method by which something cannot be assigned or handed over legally or formally to a different person or entity
3. Indicating the quality of being strictly confined to the original holder, without permission or possibility for transfer to a successor or third party

Etymology: "Nontransferably" is a straightforward formation: the prefix "non-" attached to "transferably," the adverb of "transferable." The adjective "transferable" comes from "transfer," which entered English from Latin "transferre," meaning "to carry across," built from "trans-" (across) and "ferre" (to carry). The suffix "-able" (from Latin "-abilis," meaning "able to be") turns the verb into an adjective meaning "capable of being transferred," and "-ably" adds the adverbial ending "-ly," giving a sense of "in a manner that can be transferred." Adding "non-" (from Latin "non," "not") reverses the sense entirely, so the word describes doing something in a way that cannot be handed over. Its use is largely confined to legal and formal contexts, such as contracts, licences and property, where rights or obligations are explicitly stated to be held in a non-assignable way.

Synonyms: irrevocably, inalienably, permanently, unassignably, unconditionally

Antonyms: transferably, assignably, conditionally, reversibly, temporarily