DictionaryRoot: -atio
Latin
-atio
an action, process, or result
Forms
- -atio
- -ation- — Latin stem used outside the basic noun form.
- -ation — Borrowed into English through French and Latin.
Origin
Latin -a-, associated with one class of verbs, plus the action-noun suffix -tio.
Note
The same formation can name either doing something or what the action produces.
263 / 398
noun
molestation
moh-leh-STAY-shuhn/ˌməʊleˈsteɪʃn/
Abusive sexual contact, especially with a child.
Etymology
The action noun built on molestare originally meant annoying or harassing someone. Its selected sexual sense follows the verb’s narrowing from general disturbance to sexual assault or abuse.
Related word entries
- abbreviation
- abdication
- aberration
- abomination
- accelerationFaster educational progress
- accelerationChange in motion
- acclamation
- accumulation
- accusation
- adaptation
- adjudication
- administrationManagement
- administrationGiving treatment
- admiration
- adoration
- affiliation
- affirmation
- aggravation
- aggregation
- allegation
- alliteration
- allocation
- alteration
- altercation
- ambulation
- amplification
- amputation
- annexation
- annihilation
- annunciation
- anticipation
- appellation
- application
- approbation
- arbitration
- articulation
- aspirationBreathy pronunciation
- aspirationAmbition
- assignation
- assimilation
- attenuation
- augmentation
- auscultation
- avocation
- cancellation
- causation
- cauterization
- certification
- cessation
- circulation
- citation
- clarification
- coagulation
- cohabitation
- coloration
- combination
- commemoration
- commendation
- commutation
- comparison
- compensation
- compilation
- complication
- computation
- concatenation
- conciliation
- condemnation
- condensation
- confabulation
- confederation
- configuration
- confirmation
- confiscation
- conflagration
- conformation
- confrontation
- congregation
- conjugation
- conjuration
- connotation
- conservation
- consolation
- consolidation
- constellation
- constipation
- consultation
- consummation
- contemplation
- continuation
- conversation
- convocation
- cooperation
- coordinate
- coordination
- coronation
- corporation
- corroboration
- coruscation
- cremation
- damnation
- decapitation
- declaration
- dedication
- defamation
- deformation
- degeneration
- delectation
- delegation
- demonstrationPractical display
- demonstrationPublic protest or support
- denigration
- denomination
- deportation
- depredation
- deprivation
- derivation
- designation
- desolation
- desperation
- destination
- determination
- detonation
- devastation
- dilapidation
- dilatation
- discontinuation
- discrimination
- dislocation
- dispensationExemption
- dispensationDivine order
- dissemination
- dissertation
- dissimulation
- dissipation
- dissociation
- distillation
- divination
- donation
- duplication
- duration
- edification
- elaboration
- elevationHeight
- elevationBuilding drawing
- elongation
- emanation
- emancipation
- emigration
- emulation
- enumeration
- enunciation
- equivocation
- eradication
- estimation
- evacuation
- evaporation
- evocation
- exacerbation
- exaggeration
- exaltation
- examination
- exasperation
- excavation
- excitation
- exclamation
- excoriation
- exhalation
- exhilaration
- exhortation
- exhumation
- exoneration
- expectation
- explanation
- explication
- exploration
- expropriation
- extermination
- exultation
- falsification
- fascination
- federation
- fermentation
- fixation
- flagellation
- formation
- fortification
- foundationStructural base
- foundationSupporting organization
- foundationEstablishment
- foundationCosmetic base
- frustration
- fumigation
- germination
- glorification
- gradation
- gratification
- habitation
- illumination
- illustration
- imagination
- imitation
- immolation
- implication
- inauguration
- incantation
- incarceration
- incarnation
- incineration
- inclination
- inconsideration
- incorporation
- incubation
- inculcation
- indication
- indignation
- inebriation
- infatuation
- infestation
- information
- inhalation
- initiation
- innovation
- inoculation
- insinuation
- inspirationCreative motivation
- inspirationBreathing in
- installation
- integrationCombining into a whole
- integrationFinding integrals
- interpolation
- interpretation
- interrogation
- intonation
- intoxication
- inundation
- investigation
- invitation
- invocation
- irrigation
- irritation
- iteration
- jubilation
- justification
- laceration
- lamentation
- legation
- libation
- liberation
- limitation
- litigation
- maceration
- machination
- magnification
- manifestationVisible expression
- manifestationDesired outcomes through thought
- meditationDeep reflection
- meditationFocused mental practice
- migration
- misapplication
- mitigation
- moderation
- modification
- molestation
- mortification
- multiplication
- mutation
- navigation
- negation
- negotiation
- notation
- notification
- nullification
- obfuscation
- obliteration
- observationCareful watching
- observationFollowing a custom or rule
- occupationJob or profession
- occupationMilitary control
- ordinationArrangement in order
- ordinationAppointment to the clergy
- organization
- origination
- oscillation
- osculationKissing
- osculationTangential contact
- ovation
- pacification
- palpation
- perforation
- permutation
- perpetration
- perturbation
- precipitationSolid formation
- precipitationFalling water
- precipitationRash haste
- predestination
- predicationBasis for action or reasoning
- predicationAssertion about a subject
- premeditation
- preoccupation
- preparationGetting ready
- preparationPrepared substance
- presentation
- preservation
- prevarication
- privation
- probation
- proclamation
- procrastination
- profanation
- prognostication
- pronunciation
- protestation
- provocation
- pulsation
- punctuation
- purification
- qualification
- quotation
- ratification
- reclamation
- recommendation
- reconciliation
- recrimination
- rectification
- reformation
- refrigeration
- refutation
- regeneration
- registrationOfficial enrollment
- registrationPrecise alignment
- rehabilitation
- reiteration
- relaxation
- remuneration
- renovation
- renunciation
- reparation
- repatriation
- representation
- reputation
- reservationAdvance arrangement
- reservationDoubt or qualification
- resignation
- respirationCellular energy release
- respirationBreathing
- restoration
- resuscitation
- retaliation
- retardation
- revelation
- reverberation
- revocation
- rumination
- salvation
- scintillation
- segregation
- separation
- simplification
- solicitation
- sophistication
- specification
- speculation
- spoliation
- stimulation
- strangulation
- stratification
- subjugation
- subordination
- subornation
- suffocation
- summation
- supplication
- syncopation
- taxation
- temptation
- termination
- titillation
- transfiguration
- transformation
- transmigration
- transmutation
- trepidation
- tribulation
- ulceration
- undulation
- usurpation
- vacation
- variation
- veneration
- ventilation
- verification
- vexation
- vibration
- violation
- visitation
- vituperation
- vocation