-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.

224 / 371

noun

invasion

in-VAY-zhun/ɪnˈveɪʒn/

Hostile entry into another's territory.

The army prepares for an invasion of the neighboring country.

A small column of hostile soldiers crosses a breached defensive wall, clear armed territorial entry, no flags or gore.

Etymology

inLatinin, into, on, upon

+vasLatingo or walk

+ionLatinan action, process, or result

The pieces suggest an act of “going into” a place. The underlying Latin verb already meant entering violently as an enemy, so invasion names hostile entry rather than mere arrival.

In context

Invicta13:03

move soldiers into the country and accept a Soviet intervention in the event of a German invasion The Finnish government reaffirmed its neutrality and said it would repel any foreign Invasion attempt

How Finland Survived a 1,000,000+ Soviet Invasion (1939-1940) FULL DOCUMENTARY

More examples

Coastal defenses help repel an invasion.
The invasion forces thousands of families to flee.
The island has survived several invasions.

Forms

invasion · invasions

invade verb — Enter another territory with hostile force.

invader noun — Someone who enters another's territory by force.

Similar words

incursion: Usually a brief or limited entry into another territory.
assault: Emphasizes a direct attack rather than entry into territory.