addressee
UK[ˌæd.reˈsiː]US[ˌæd.reˈsiː]
n
a person to whom a letter, parcel, or message is addressed.
n
the intended recipient of a communication.
Morpheme Breakdown
address
ee
address
ee
Etymology
the word 'addressee' is a modern english formation built upon the older verb 'address', which itself originates from the latin phrase ad directum, meaning "to the straight" or "to direct". the suffix '-ee', borrowed from the anglo-french legal participle ending, systematically denotes the passive recipient of an action. therefore, the literal construction "one who is addressed" logically and transparently yields the modern meaning of the intended recipient of a communication. this pattern is highly productive in english, creating agent-neutral nouns like 'employee' or 'nominee'.
Analysis
Structure: address + ee
address: from latin ad- (to) + directiare (to direct), via old french adrecier. functions as the base verb/action.
ee: from anglo-french -é, a suffix forming nouns denoting the person who is the object or recipient of an action.
Examples
the addressee had moved, so the letter was returned to sender.
as the addressee of the official complaint, the manager was required to respond.
please ensure the package clearly states the name and details of the addressee.