From Latin 'irrevocabilis' (cannot be called back), from 'vocare' (to call) — the call has gone out and cannot return.
Not able to be changed, reversed, or recovered; final and unalterable.
From Latin irrevocabilis (that cannot be called back), from in- (not) + revocabilis (that can be recalled), from revocare (to call back), from re- (back) + vocare (to call). Vocare derives from vox (voice), from PIE *wekw- (to speak, to give voice). Something irrevocable cannot be called back — once spoken or done, it cannot be unsaid or undone. The same root *wekw- produced
The phrase 'irrevocable trust' in estate law uses the word in its most literal Latin sense: a trust that cannot be 'called back' — the grantor has permanently surrendered control over the assets. By contrast, a 'revocable trust' can be called back (revoked) at any time. The legal terminology preserves the calling metaphor perfectly
Words closest in meaning, ranked by similarity