What’s the prefix, base or root and suffix for the word illuminate? For some reason I just can’t find it.?
What are the prefix, root, and suffix of the word "illuminate"? I’ve been trying to identify them but haven't had any success. Can someone help me clarify this?
1 Answers
Jan 23, 2025
to illuminate (verb) = to shine light on [something].
From Latin:
prefix: "in-" = in, into
root: "lumen" (noun) = light,
suffix: "-ate" = used to indicate "to make [something be] ...", or "to cause [something to be]...".
So literally "illuminate" means "to cause [something] to be in light".
More precisely, "illuminate" is derived from "in" + a Latin verb "luminare" = to lighten. The past participle of "luminare" is "luminatus" = lightened, lit, caused to be in light. The English suffix "-ate" is derived from the Latin suffix of the past participle, "-atus". When a Latin verb ends in "-are", the English equivalent verb that's derived from it usually ends in "-ate", derived from this Latin "-atus". For example: to advocate is derived from Latin "advocare" = to call, to summon, "advocatus" = (that which is) called/summoned.
However, sometimes English verbs are invented by analogy that end in "-ate", but that aren't derived from an existing Latin verb that ends in "-are". An example is "to eventuate". There is no Latin verb "eventuare", although the root "eventu(s)" is from Latin.
Related Questions
What are some adjectives that can be used to describe George Washington? I’m looking for more sophisticated vocabulary r...
Aunt Nan took the message for Walter and her. Is "her" a: a. direct object b. indirect object c. object of the prepositi...
I have been told by two different individuals that I am "chistosita," and I would like to understand the meaning of this...
Could someone help me come up with a sentence using the word "toil"? I'm struggling to create one. Thank you!
Is the correct phrase "twice in a roll" or "twice in a row"? I often hear people use both versions, but I'm not sure whi...
What does "il était malin, celui qui a inventé ce truc-là" mean in English? This French phrase seems to be praising the...
Please identify the complete adjective clause in the following sentence: "The tree that withstands winter winds is stren...
I have noticed a growing trend in the pronunciation of "sepia" (sēpē-ə) with a soft "e," similar to the "e" in "Septembe...
As a teacher, it is important for me to understand educational psychology. If I have a good understanding of educational...
What does the word "sadity" really mean, and why isn't it included in standard dictionaries? People commonly use "sadity...