admittedly
UK[ədˈmɪtɪdli]US[ədˈmɪtɪdli]
adv
used to introduce a statement that makes the main statement seem less true or less strong, but is still true.
Morpheme Breakdown
admit
ted
ly
admit
ted
ly
Etymology
the adverb 'admittedly' is built upon the past participle of the verb 'admit'. the verb itself has a journey from latin admittere, meaning 'to allow to enter' or 'to let in', which combined the directional prefix ad- with the verb mittere (to send, to let go). in english, 'admit' evolved to encompass meanings of conceding or acknowledging a fact, often reluctantly. by adding the past participle suffix -ed and the adverbial suffix -ly, the word transforms into a sentence adverb used to frankly concede a point that somewhat weakens one's argument, yet is necessary for honest discourse. this evolution reflects a shift from a physical action of allowing entry to a rhetorical act of intellectual concession.
Analysis
Structure: admit + ted + ly
admit: from latin admittere (to send to, allow to enter), composed of ad- (to) + mittere (to send). functions as the core verb root.
ted: a variant of the past participle suffix -ed, from old english -od/-ad. indicates the word is formed from the past participle.
ly: from old english -līce, an adverbial suffix. converts the adjective 'admitted' into an adverb.
Examples
admittedly, the plan is ambitious and carries some risk.
he is admittedly one of the most talented players of his generation.
the task was, admittedly, more difficult than we had anticipated.