rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: facere
Latin

facere

do, make

Forms

  • fac-
  • fact- — Latin stem of the form meaning ‘done’ or ‘made.’
  • -fic- — Used in Latin compounds.
  • -fect- — Stem of the form meaning ‘done’ or ‘made’ in Latin compounds.
  • -fy — English ending developed from Latin -ficare, a formation based on this verb.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *dheh₁-, ‘put; set; do.’

Note

Especially productive in formations meaning ‘cause to become.’

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A simple medical-style pen illustration of a fingertip with a mildly reddened swollen small spot, accompanied by an enlarged circular inset of multiplying microbe shapes, no gore, no text.
noun

infection

in-FEK-shuhn/ɪnˈfekʃn/

The establishment and spread of harmful microorganisms within a host.

Etymology
inLatinin, into, on, upon
+fectLatindo, make
+ionLatinan action, process, or result

Together, the roots formed a verb meaning “put into” or “dip into,” then “stain” or “spoil.” Infection carries this image of contamination into the bodily process of disease.

Full entry

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