accurate
Meaning
Correct in all details; exact.
(of a device or method) Able to give a correct result.
Structure
Usage
The witness gave an accurate description of the suspect.
This watch is remarkably accurate, losing only a second per month.
For the experiment to succeed, the measurements must be highly accurate.
Etymology
The word 'accurate' originates from the Latin past participle 'accuratus', meaning 'done with care'. This Latin term is built from the prefix 'ad-' (to, towards) and the verb 'curare' (to take care of), derived from the noun 'cura' (care). The literal sense of 'done with care' evolved logically into the modern meaning of 'exact' or 'correct', as something performed with great attention to detail is more likely to be free from error. This semantic shift from a process (careful action) to a result (correctness) is a classic example of how meticulousness leads to precision.
Analysis
- ac: Latin prefix 'ad-', meaning 'to, towards'. It assimilates to 'ac-' before 'c'. - cur: From Latin root 'cura', meaning 'care, concern, attention'. - ate: A Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives meaning 'characterized by or having'.