'inconclusively' originates from the Latin word 'concludere,' where 'con-' meant 'together' and 'cludere' meant 'to shut.' The prefix 'in-' negates the meaning, leading to 'not concluding together.'

'concludere' transformed into the Old French word 'conclure,' and eventually became the modern English word 'conclude,' with 'inconclusive' and 'inconclusively' deriving from it.

Initially, it meant 'not bringing to a close,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.