inoperable

[in-op-er-uh-buh l, -op-ruh-buh l] /ɪnˈɒp ər ə bəl, -ˈɒp rə bəl/
adjective
1.
not operable or practicable.
2.
Medicine/Medical. not admitting of a surgical operation because the pathological condition is not amenable to cure by surgery or because of undue risk.
Compare operable (def 1).
Origin
1885-90; in-3 + operable
Examples from the web for inoperable
  • Below a certain level of precision the inefficiency of the gearing would make the whole thing inoperable.
  • The device, which is in preclinical tests in mice, can be implanted in inoperable tumors during a routine biopsy.
  • We have been told by an oncology surgeon that her case is inoperable.
  • My mechanic told me that the motor is inoperable and must be replaced.
  • She had inoperable ovarian cancer, though she was not told the diagnosis.
British Dictionary definitions for inoperable

inoperable

/ɪnˈɒpərəbəl; -ˈɒprə-/
adjective
1.
incapable of being implemented or operated; unworkable
2.
(surgery) not suitable for operation without risk, esp (of a malignant tumour) because metastasis has rendered surgery useless
Derived Forms
inoperability, inoperableness, noun
inoperably, adverb
Word Origin and History for inoperable
adj.

1856, from in- (1) "not, opposite of" + operable.

inoperable in Medicine

inoperable in·op·er·a·ble (ĭn-ŏp'ər-ə-bəl, -ŏp'rə-)
adj.
Unsuitable for a surgical procedure.

in·op'er·a·bil'i·ty n.