The word ileso is used to describe a state of being unharmed or uninjured, commonly used in both general and medical contexts. It is often applied in situations where one might expect harm or injury but instead, the individual or object remains intact. The frequency of its usage is moderate, and it is commonly employed in both oral and written contexts.
After the accident, all the passengers were unharmed.
A pesar de la fuerte tormenta, la casa quedó ilesa.
Despite the heavy storm, the house remained unscathed.
El conductor salió del coche ileso tras el choque.
While ileso itself is not a central feature of many idiomatic expressions, it can be found in some expressions relating to safety or survival. Below are a few examples:
Translation: He managed to come out unharmed from the harsh storm.
Quedar ileso
Translation: Despite the fire, the building remained unscathed.
Irse ileso
The term ileso comes from the Latin word ilesus, meaning "undamaged" or "unhurt". It has maintained a similar meaning through the evolution of the Spanish language.
This comprehensive breakdown of ileso provides a clear understanding of its meaning, usage, examples, expressions, etymology, and related terms.