indignant
/ɪnˈdɪɡ.nənt/
adjective
Origin
Latin
indignari — to deem unworthy
Overview
Meaning Now
- Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.
Literal older meaning
unworthy; undeserving
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
indignant
Earliest period
late 16th century
Journey
The word traces back to the Latin concept of 'indignus' (unworthy). It implies that the person experiencing the emotion believes they are being treated in a way that is beneath their dignity or contrary to what they deserve.
Evolution
- Classical Latin
indignari
“to be angry at an injustice”
- Late Latin
indignans
“feeling unworthy or indignant”
- 16th-century English
indignant
“feeling or showing resentment”
Adopted directly from Latin form.
Connections
Word parts
in-
prefix
not
dign
root
worthy
-ant
suffix
tending to
Related across languages
French
indigné
indignant
Spanish
indignado
indignant
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.