Why do the words "flammable" and "inflammable" mean the same thing?
Why doesn't the prefix "in" give it the opposite meaning like it does with other words?
36-40, F
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JonathanC · 61-69, M
That is because the prefix "in-" is in this case NOT the Latin negative prefix in- (related to the English prefix "un-" and which appears in words like "indecent" and "inglorious"). It is instead derived from the Latin preposition in, which means "in" and appears in words like "inflame."