DictionaryRoot: -io
Latin

-io

an action, process, or result

Forms

  • -io
  • -ion- — The longer form used before Latin endings.
  • -ion — The form carried into many English nouns.

Origin

An old Latin noun ending, inherited from earlier Indo-European word formation.

Note

The ending can name both an activity and what that activity produces.

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noun

humiliation

hyoo-mil-ee-AY-shuhn/hjuːˌmɪliˈeɪʃn/

A painful loss of dignity or self-respect through shame or embarrassment.

She lowers her gaze in humiliation as the onlookers turn away.

A person stands with lowered gaze and slumped shoulders after public ridicule while onlookers turn away, respectful depiction of painful embarrassment.
Etymology

Humiliation names the act or result of humbling people—bringing them low. That lowering concerns dignity or public standing, connecting abasement with the painful loss of pride or respect.

In context

Prof. Sam Vaknin11:14
couple humiliation with loss abandonment is a critical part of mortification you humiliate the narcissist by reflecting to the narcissist who he really is
Mortify, Exit: Red Pill Narcissistic Abuse (Relationship Awareness Theory)

More examples

  • She remembered the humiliation of being laughed at.
  • He apologized for the humiliation he had caused.
  • The defeat brought disappointment rather than humiliation.

Forms

humiliation · humiliations

humiliate verb — cause someone to feel ashamed or degraded

Similar words

embarrassment
Can be mild and brief.
disgrace
Loss of public respect rather than only personal dignity.