an animal that CAN LIVE FOREVER!?!?!

[Khuutra]

dtewi said:

Khuutra said:

*sigh*

No, it's not. The etymology of the word was used to describe gods and spirits who never died. Or concepts that aren't capable of death and would never be forgotten. Or ties that would never be broken. Or rocks.

The definition of words can't be traced that easily through the roots, because there are implications in every definition of every word - immortality is that which lacks mortality, and mortality doesn't just mean the quality of being able to die, it also means being limited, and it also means being subject to age.

You can't have a "more correct" definition!

Go to your room and don't come out until you've thought about the crimes you've committed against your language!

So what you would prefer me to say?

That the etymology of the word suggests a more clear idea that its connotation means to not be able to die?

That is long-winded.

Etymology is more than just the roots of a word - it has to do with past usages, too. And immortal tends to not refer to things that live but cannot be killed.

You could say "You know, a literal interpretation of the roots of the word suggests something kind of like the Highlander minus the decapitation weakness", but even tat isn't quite right in that it's only one definition of "mortality".

You could say "You know I always thought of immortality as being literally unable to die"

Or you could just say

"Holy shit that jellyfish could live for a billion billion years in ideal conditions"