Living, burning, learning

September 26th, 2008 at 07:00am Barry Wood

If “habitable” means “fit to be lived in,” does “inhabitable” mean “unfit to be lived in”? No — both words mean “in livable condition.”

The verb “inhabit” means “to dwell or live in; occupy.” Use of “habit” as a verb as a synonym for “inhabit” is considered archaic. But the adjectives live on in harmony.

This recalls the classic doubling up of “flammable” and “inflammable,” both of which mean “easily set on fire; that will burn readily or quickly.”

Webster’s says that “flammable” is now preferred in commerce and industry, which is a good thing. This is a label that should not be open to misinterpretation.

In the same vein, “habitable” can be considered clearer than “inhabitable,” which could be confused with “inhospitable.”

Entry Filed under: perplexing pairs