Unchanged

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ʌnˈt͡ʃeɪnd͡ʒd/

Definitions

1. Remaining in the same state or condition without any alteration or modification
2. Remaining consistent or stable without any form of change or variation
3. Not experiencing any alterations or modifications while maintaining the same characteristics or features

Etymology: This term is a model of English word formation: it is built from the prefix "un-" meaning "not," attached to the past participle "changed." The participle comes from the verb "change," which itself appeared in English in the Middle Ages via Old French "changer," ultimately from Latin "cambiare," meaning "to exchange." The prefix "un-" has been used in English since Old English days, drawing from the Germanic root for negation, and is one of the most productive ways to form antonyms. The combination of "un-" with past participles to make adjectives (such as "untouched," "unbroken," and "unchanged") is a longstanding pattern in English, dating back at least to the Middle English period. "Unchanged" in its current sense — meaning "not altered" — is attested from at least the 15th century. The word has always been straightforward in meaning: describing something that has not undergone modification or transformation. Its clarity and transparency mean that its history is uneventful compared to more colorful etymologies, but it is a perfect example of how English allows for the easy creation of new adjectives by simple prefixation.