association
UK[əˌsəʊsiˈeɪʃn]US[əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃn]
n
an official group of people who have joined together for a particular purpose
n
a connection or relationship between people or organizations
n
a mental connection between ideas or things
Morpheme Breakdown
as
soci
ation
as
to, towards
soci
companion, ally
ation
Etymology
The word 'association' originates from the Latin verb 'associare', meaning 'to unite, join, combine'. This verb itself is formed from the prefix 'ad-' (to, towards) and the root 'socius' (companion, ally). The core concept is of joining together with companions. Through French influence, the term entered Middle English, retaining the sense of a fellowship or union. The modern abstract meanings—a formal organization, a mental link, or a general connection—all logically extend from this fundamental idea of things or people being joined as companions.
Analysis
Structure: as + soci + ation
as (Latin origin, ad- prefix meaning 'to, towards')
soci (Latin origin, root from 'socius' meaning 'companion, ally')
ation (Latin origin, noun-forming suffix indicating an action or resulting state)
Examples
She is a member of the local residents' association.
The study found a strong association between diet and health.
The smell of the ocean brought back a flood of childhood associations.