Obliterable: meaning, definitions and examples
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obliterable
[ əˈblɪtərebəl ]
ability to erase
Obliterable refers to something that can be completely destroyed or erased, typically beyond recovery. It implies a total annihilation of form or substance, leaving no trace behind.
Synonyms
destructible, erasable, removable.
Examples of usage
- The evidence was obliterable, leaving no memory of the crime.
- His past mistakes felt obliterable after his transformation into a better person.
- The document was obliterable under the harsh conditions of the storm.
Etymology
The term 'obliterable' is derived from the Latin word 'obliterare', which means 'to efface' or 'to blot out'. This word combines 'ob-', a prefix meaning 'against' or 'over', with 'literare', which implies 'to write'. Since the 15th century, the word has evolved in English to describe the concept of complete destruction or erasure of physical or metaphorical elements. It is commonly used in both legal and informal contexts where the idea of removing any evidence or trace of something is applicable. The notion of obliteration resonates in various domains, from literature describing psychological states of being completely forgotten to scientific discussions about data loss.