Tamperproof

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Designed so that it cannot be secretly changed, damaged or interfered with by anyone without permission
2. Built to resist any attempt at meddling, forgery or unauthorized modification of its contents or mechanism
3. Protected against being altered or misused, so that any tampering is prevented or made evident

Etymology: "Tamperproof" is a plain compound, built from "tamper" and "-proof." "Tamper" itself began as a variant of "temper," meaning to mix or work a substance into a desired consistency, and it later took on the sense of meddling with something, especially to alter or interfere with it. The suffix "-proof" comes from the noun "proof" in the sense of a test or trial, and it attaches to a word to mean "resistant to" or "impervious to" whatever is named, as in "waterproof" or "fireproof." Put together, "tamperproof" describes something designed so that it cannot be interfered with without leaving evidence or being damaged. A tamperproof seal on a medicine bottle is the everyday example. The word was formed in English by combining these two existing elements, so its meaning follows directly from its parts.

Synonyms: tamper-resistant, tamper-evident, secure, sealed

Antonyms: tamperable, breakable