adjacent
UK[əˈdʒeɪs(ə)nt]US[əˈdʒeɪsənt]
adj
Next to or adjoining something else.
adj
(Geometry) Having a common vertex and side.
Morpheme Breakdown
ad
jacent
ad
to
jacent
lying
Etymology
The word "adjacent" has a clear and logical construction from Latin. It is formed from the prefix ad- ("to, near") and the present participle jacēns ("lying") from the verb jacēre ("to lie down"). The literal sense is thus "lying near to." This spatial concept was adopted into Middle English from Latin via Old French. Over time, the meaning generalized from the physical act of lying down to describe any object or area that is situated next to or bordering another, retaining its core idea of proximity without the implication of posture.
Analysis
Structure: ad (to) + jacent (lying)
- ad: Latin prefix meaning "to, toward, near."
- jacent: From Latin jacent-, the stem of jacēns, present participle of jacēre meaning "to lie."
Examples
The fire started in the building adjacent to the library.
Make sure to water the plants in the adjacent garden as well.
In the diagram, angles A and B are adjacent.