Unacclimated

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Struggling to adapt to a new atmosphere, climate, or setting
2. Failing to adjust adequately to unfamiliar environmental conditions or circumstances
3. Not having become accustomed to a different climate or environment

Etymology: "Unacclimated" is simply the negative of "acclimated," with the prefix "un-" added to show the absence of the state. The adjective "acclimated" itself comes from "acclimate," a verb built on the French "acclimater," which means to accustom to a new climate. That French verb is formed from "à," meaning "to," and "climat," meaning "climate," so the underlying idea is being brought into a new climatic zone. The prefix "un-" is one of the most productive in English. Native to Old English, it attaches to adjectives, participles and verbs to reverse or negate them, which is why English speakers can form "unacclimated" on the spot from any adjective describing adaptation. The word therefore describes a person, animal or plant that has not yet adjusted to surroundings that differ from what it knows.

Synonyms: unfamiliar, unadapted, unadjusted, untested, inexperienced

Antonyms: acclimated, adapted, adjusted, familiar, experienced