inviolable

[in-vahy-uh-luh-buh l]

adjective

prohibiting violation; secure from destruction, violence, infringement, or desecration: an inviolable sanctuary; an inviolable promise.
incapable of being violated; incorruptible; unassailable: inviolable secrecy.

Origin of inviolable

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word inviolābilis. See in-³, violable

Related formsin·vi·o·la·bil·i·ty, in·vi·o·la·ble·ness, nounin·vi·o·la·bly, adverb

Can be confusedinviolable inviolate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for inviolably

Contemporary Examples of inviolably

Reagan had his Teflon; Romney has his inviolably immaculate white shirts.
Trump Endorsed Romney Because It Was Like Calling to Like
Lee Siegel
February 3, 2012
But Norris is so inviolably the real thing that even his mind-boggling thespian stiffness works as a badge of pride.
Chuck Norris Turns 70
Sean Macaulay
December 6, 2009

Historical Examples of inviolably

She hoped to catch the voice of her uncle: but all was inviolably still.
Camilla
Fanny Burney
But for the secret of the lagoon the papers had to wait, since it had been inviolably kept.
The Relentless City
Edward Frederic Benson
Don't you know that the secrets of the confessional are inviolably sacred?
Told by the Death's Head
Mr Jkai
Why, it should be a temple, inviolably dedicated to its peculiar god.
The Book of Susan
Lee Wilson Dodd
Dear Cousin Witwoud, get him away, and you will bind me to you inviolably.
The Way of the World
William Congreve

British Dictionary definitions for inviolably

inviolable

adjective

that must not or cannot be transgressed, dishonoured, or broken; to be kept sacredan inviolable oath

Derived Formsinviolability or inviolableness, nouninviolably, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for inviolably

inviolable

adj.

mid-15c., from Latin inviolabilis "inviolable, invulnerable," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + violabilis, from violare "to do violence to" (see violation). Related: Inviolably.