admonish
UK[ədˈmɒnɪʃ]US[ədˈmɑːnɪʃ]
v
to tell someone firmly that you disapprove of something they have done.
v
to strongly advise someone to do something.
Morpheme Breakdown
ad
mon
ish
ad
to, toward
mon
warn, advise
ish
verb suffix
Etymology
the word "admonish" entered english in the 14th century from old french amonester, which itself evolved from vulgar latin admonestāre, an alteration of latin admonēre ("to warn, remind"). the latin root monēre ("to warn") is central, deriving from the proto-indo-european root men- ("to think"), which also gives us "mind," "mental," and "monitor." the literal sense of "bringing a warning or advice to mind" evolved into the modern meanings of expressing disapproval or offering earnest counsel. the prefix "ad-" intensifies the action, directing the warning toward someone.
Analysis
Structure: ad (to, toward) + mon (warn, advise) + ish (verb suffix)
- ad: a latin prefix meaning "to, toward, near".
- mon: from latin monēre, meaning "to warn, advise, remind".
- ish: a verb-forming suffix of french origin, used to form verbs from adjectives or nouns.
Examples
the teacher had to admonish the students for talking during the exam.
i must admonish you against making hasty decisions without proper information.
she was admonished by her manager for missing the important deadline.