DictionaryRoot: struere
Latin
struere
pile up, arrange, or build
Forms
- struere
- struct- — The form used for completed action and its derivatives.
Origin
From an older Indo-European root associated with spreading or arranging in layers.
Note
Building a physical structure and arranging an explanation share the idea of putting parts in order.
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adjective
destructible
di-STRUK-tuh-bul/dɪˈstrʌktəbl/
Able to be destroyed or damaged beyond use.
Etymology
The roots give the image of something that can be “un-built” or torn down. The ending makes this a property: being vulnerable to complete ruin, rather than already being destroyed.