indemnity
UK: ɪnˈdɛmnɪti | US: ɪnˈdɛmnɪti
n. compensation for damage, loss, or injury
n. legal protection against liability or penalties
n. a sum paid to cover potential future losses
indemnity = in<not> + demn<loss/harm> + ity<noun suffix>
- in- (Latin prefix): Negation ("not").
- demn (from Latin damnum): Meaning "loss," "harm," or "damage."
- -ity (noun-forming suffix): Indicates a state or condition.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin indemnitas, combining in- (not) + damnum (loss). It originally referred to exemption from financial penalties or compensation for harm. Over time, it evolved into legal and financial contexts, retaining its core idea of "protection against loss." The morpheme demn is a reduced form of damnum, preserving the original spelling link.
The contract includes a clause for indemnity in case of breach.
The insurance policy provides indemnity for accidental damage.
The company sought indemnity from legal claims.
Victims received financial indemnity for their losses.
The treaty guaranteed indemnity to the defeated nation.