DictionaryRoot: -ment
Old French
-ment
an action, state, or result
Forms
- -ment
Origin
Old French retained and shortened Latin -mentum.
Note
This noun ending is separate from the French adverb ending -ment, historically meaning “with a … mind.”
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noun
commencement
kuh-MENS-muhnt/kəˈmensmənt/
A ceremony marking graduation.
Etymology
A commencement is literally a beginning: graduates originally ‘began to be’ bachelors, masters, or other degree holders through the ceremony. The name marks entry into a new academic standing.
Related word entries
- abatement
- accomplishment
- adjournment
- adornment
- advancement
- advertisement
- advisement
- agreement
- amendment
- appeasement
- appointment
- arraignment
- attachmentAdded part
- attachmentEmotional bond
- battlement
- commandment
- commencement
- concealment
- contentment
- department
- disparagement
- enchantment
- enticement
- garment
- government
- impairment
- impeachment
- imprisonment
- indictment
- interment
- judgment
- nourishment
- parliament
- presentment
- procurement
- refreshment
- tournament