The spelling of the word "nonviable" is not intuitive. It is pronounced as \ˌnän-ˈvī-ə-bəl\, with the stress on the second syllable. The "n" at the beginning is a negating prefix and "viable" means capable of living or developing. Therefore, "nonviable" means not capable of living or developing. Despite its confusing spelling, "nonviable" is commonly used in medical and scientific fields to describe cells, organisms, or ideas that are not feasible or sustainable.
Nonviable is an adjective that refers to something that is not capable of surviving, succeeding, or functioning effectively. It is often used to describe a situation, plan, or course of action that is deemed impractical, unfeasible, or destined to fail. When something is considered nonviable, it lacks the necessary qualities, resources, or conditions to achieve the desired outcome or purpose.
In the context of biology or medicine, nonviable refers to an organism or tissue that is unable to live, develop, or grow. This can occur due to various factors such as genetic abnormalities, insufficient nourishment, or lack of suitable environmental conditions. For instance, a nonviable fetus refers to a developing baby that cannot survive outside the womb.
Nonviable can also be used in a broader sense to describe economic or financial situations where an enterprise, investment, or project is not economically sustainable or profitable. In such cases, the venture is unlikely to generate sufficient revenue or meet its financial obligations, resulting in its eventual failure or closure.
Overall, nonviable describes something that is not practicable or capable of flourishing, whether it pertains to a concept, living organism, or commercial enterprise.
The word "nonviable" originates from the combination of the prefix "non-" and the adjective "viable".
The prefix "non-" is derived from the Latin word "non", meaning "not" or "without". It is used to create negation or opposition to the root word.
The adjective "viable" comes from the Latin word "vīvēre", which means "to live". When applied to something, "viable" refers to its capability or potential for survival or success. In this case, the prefix "non-" negates this capability, resulting in "nonviable" meaning "not capable of surviving or succeeding".