Short Answer
Complete Explanation
The phrase “irretrievably broken” combines the adverb “irretrievably,” meaning “in a way that cannot be retrieved or recovered,” with the adjective “broken,” indicating a state of fracture or failure. Together, the expression denotes a condition that is permanently damaged beyond repair, restoration, or reversal. It is frequently employed in legal language (e.g., describing a marriage that cannot be reconciled), in technical fields to describe irreparable equipment failure, and in everyday speech to emphasize the finality of a breakdown.
- Definition:
Something that is permanently damaged or dissolved, with no realistic possibility of restoration. - Typical Contexts:
Legal documents (e.g., divorce filings), technical reports on equipment failure, and colloquial statements about relationships or systems that have failed beyond repair.
Common Misconceptions
The term implies that the broken item can be fixed later.
“Irretrievably broken” explicitly conveys that recovery is impossible.
It is interchangeable with “temporarily broken.”
The phrase denotes permanent, not temporary, failure.
FAQ
Is “irretrievably broken” used only in legal contexts?
No. While it is common in legal documents to describe irreparable situations, the phrase is also used in technical reports and everyday speech to emphasize permanent failure.
Can something described as “irretrievably broken” ever be repaired?
By definition, the term indicates that repair or restoration is not possible. If a repair becomes feasible, a different description would be appropriate.
What is the difference between “irreversible” and “irretrievably broken”?
“Irreversible” refers to processes that cannot be reversed, while “irretrievably broken” specifically denotes a state of damage that cannot be recovered or fixed.
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