indispensable

The story

1. Medieval Latin · derived fromindispensābilis
2. Middle French · borrowed fromindispensable
3. English todayindispensable

Borrowed from Middle French indispensable, from Medieval Latin indispensābilis, corresponding to in- + dispensable.

First known use, by meaning

• from 17th c. Absolutely necessary or requisite; that one cannot do without.
• from 17th c. Unbendable, that cannot be set aside or ignored.
• 16th–17th c. Not admitting ecclesiastical dispensation; not subject to release or exemption; that cannot be allowed by bending the canonical rules.
• from 17th c. A thing that is not dispensable; a necessity.
• from 19th c. Trousers.