com-

with, together; sometimes thoroughly

Forms

com-
con- — Used before many consonants in Latin.
col- — Used before l in Latin.
cor- — Used before r in Latin.
co- — Shortened especially before vowels.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *kom, ‘with; beside.’

Note

In some formations, togetherness shades into completeness; the prefix’s exact contribution can be uncertain.

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noun

commode

kuh-MOHD/kəˈməʊd/

A toilet or chair fitted for use as a toilet.

The bedside commode has armrests and a removable pail.

An unoccupied modern bedside commode chair with armrests, toilet seat and removable pail is isolated on white; clear practical object, no patient.

Etymology

comLatinwith, together; sometimes thoroughly

+modeLatinmeasure, limit, or manner

Com-, perhaps intensive here, and modus, “measure,” formed a word meaning “suitable” or “convenient.” The toilet sense arose from the convenience of a chair housing a chamber pot.

In context

Earthing21:29

… a quarter million dollars worth of art hanging in my bathroom over the commode …

The Earthing Movie: The Remarkable Science of Grounding (full documentary)

More examples

The caregiver cleaned the commode.
The room had space for a wheelchair beside the commode.
The commode’s seat could be lifted.

Forms

commode · commodes

Similar words

toilet: Toilet is the everyday term; commode often means a portable toilet chair or a discreet term for a toilet.
chamber pot: A chamber pot is the receptacle; a commode may incorporate one into a chair.