nugatory
/ˈn(j)uːɡətɔɹi/ adjective
- adjective Trivial, trifling or of little importance.
- adjective Ineffective, invalid or futile.
- adjective (law) Having no force, inoperative, ineffectual.
- adjective (computing) Removable from a computer program with safety, but harmless if retained.
Etymology
From Latin nūgātōr (“jester”) + English -y (“adjectival suffix”).
Borrowed from Latin nūgātōrius, from nūgātor m (“jester”) + -ius (“suffix forming adjectives”).
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Trifling; vain; futile; insignificant.
- adjective Of no force; inoperative; ineffectual.
Etymology [L. nugatorius, fr. nugari to trifle, nugae jests, trifles.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “nugatory”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details