adj
inoperable
adj
1
Describing a medical condition too advanced or dangerous to be treated by surgery.
"The tumor was deemed inoperable, so doctors turned to chemotherapy."
2
Not able to function or work.
"The old machine has been inoperable for years."
How to Use Inoperable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "cannot be operated on" (medically) or "does not work" (mechanically).
Common mistake
In medical contexts inoperable almost always means the condition, not the patient, cannot be treated surgically.
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The tumor was deemed _____, so doctors turned to chemotherapy.
Etymology
Formed from in- ("not") plus operable.