con-

together, with; sometimes thoroughly

Forms

con-
com- — Used before certain consonants, especially b, p, and m.
col- — The final consonant changed before l.
cor- — The final consonant changed before r.
co- — The final consonant was lost in some combinations.

Origin

From Latin cum, “with,” and an older form com-.

Note

Togetherness could extend to completeness. Not every word containing this prefix retains an obvious “with” meaning.

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noun

congressman

KAHNG-gruhs-muhn/ˈkɑːŋɡrəsmən/

A male member of a legislative congress, especially the U.S. House of Representatives.

The congressman speaks during a committee meeting in the House of Representatives.

Male House representative speaks in committee.

Etymology

conLatintogether, with; sometimes thoroughly

+gressLatinstep or walk

+manEnglisha person; later especially an adult male

The stepping-together image developed into a meeting of delegates; adding man identifies a male member. Although technically applicable to either chamber of Congress, the word typically means a House member.

In context

Rep. Jamie Raskin0:08

joining me now is congressman Jamie Raskin who serves on the House Judiciary Committee

CNN - Raskin Discusses White House Stonewalling, Blocking Witness Testimony

More examples

She writes to her congressman about the proposed tax increase.
Two congressmen introduce a bill to protect drinking water.
The congressman's office helps residents apply for federal assistance.

Forms

congressman · congressmen

Similar words

representative: Can refer to any gender and to nonlegislative roles.
legislator: Includes lawmakers of any gender in any legislative body.