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.’

188 / 306
Clear mug of finished chamomile infusion with floating flower heads and tea strainer beside it; no labels.
noun

infusion

in-FYOO-zhuhn/ɪnˈfjuːʒn/

An extraction of flavor or other substances by steeping ingredients in liquid.

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

The pieces underlie a noun meaning “a pouring in” or “a watering.” In English, infusion also named the resulting liquid extract obtained by soaking something in water, directly matching the drink or solution sense.

Full entry

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