The word "unalienable" means something that cannot be taken away, denied, sold, given away, or transferred to another person. It is often used to describe rights that are inherent and permanent, such as the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness mentioned in the Declaration of Independence. These rights are considered natural and cannot be justly removed or surrendered
. Etymologically, "unalienable" comes from the root "alien," meaning "belonging to another," with the prefix "un-" meaning "not," and the suffix "-able" indicating capability-thus meaning "not able to be denied or taken away"
. The term is closely related to "inalienable," and both words are used interchangeably to mean the same concept of rights or privileges that cannot be separated from a person
. The adjective "unalienable" has been in use since the early 1600s and is chiefly used in formal contexts, especially in legal and political language
. In summary, unalienable means:
- Impossible to take away or give up
- Inherent and permanent rights or qualities
- Not transferable or deniable by any outside force
This concept is foundational in legal and human rights contexts
