DictionaryRoot: -ent-
Latin
-ent-
doing or being something
Forms
- -ent-
- -ens — The Latin form used when no longer ending followed.
Origin
The longer form of Latin -ens, continuing an older action-describing -nt- ending.
5 / 29
noun
confidant
KON-fih-dant/ˈkɑːnfɪdænt/
A trusted person with whom private matters are shared.
Etymology
The trust root, perhaps strengthened by con-, came to describe a “trusty friend.” The modern noun focuses that trust on private affairs and secrets.