DictionaryRoot: con-
Latin

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.

119 / 129
A polished curved lens in side view with its middle bulging outward, highlighting convex exterior.
adjective

convex

KON-veks/ˈkɑːnveks/

Curving outward like the outside of a ball.

Etymology

The “carry together” image may refer to vaults meeting at a roof's high point. Latin used the resulting word for “vaulted” or “arched,” leading to the outward-curving sense.

Full entry

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