-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.

359 / 371

noun

transaction

tran-ZAK-shun/trænˈzækʃn/

An exchange or deal between people or systems.

The exchange of coins for the bowl completes the transaction.

Hands exchange a pottery bowl and coins across a counter, emphasizing the completed reciprocal business exchange.

Etymology

transLatinacross, beyond; from one side to another

+actLatindrive, set in motion; do

+ionLatinan action, process, or result

The image of “driving through” became carrying an affair through to settlement. Transaction first referred to a negotiated agreement or adjustment of a dispute, then to a completed or settled piece of business.

In context

Old Time Radio Researchers17:17

do you keep a record of every transaction I mean by that uh you record the name of every person who Cashes in Gold

Challenge of the Yukon - The Case of the Kind Hearted Killer

More examples

The bank recorded every transaction.
Several transactions failed during the outage.
Both parties approved the transaction.

Forms

transaction · transactions

Similar words

exchange: Exchange need not involve a formal business dealing.
deal: Deal emphasizes the arrangement or agreement rather than the completed business action.