rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: in-
Latin

in-

in, into, on, upon

Forms

  • in-
  • im- — Used before b, m, or p in Latin.
  • il- — Used before l in Latin.
  • ir- — Used before r in Latin.
  • en- — Developed in French in some words later borrowed into English.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *en, ‘in.’

Note

Identical spellings can hide two different prefixes: this one indicates position or direction, while the other means ‘not.’

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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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