cement
UK[sɪˈmɛnt]US[sɪˈmɛnt]
n
a grey powder made from lime and clay that is mixed with water and sand to make mortar or with water, sand, and small stones to make concrete.
n
a soft substance that hardens to hold things together or fill gaps, used in dentistry and certain types of construction.
v
to fix or hold things together with or as if with cement.
v
to establish or strengthen a relationship, link, or idea firmly.
Etymology
the word 'cement' entered english in the 13th century from old french 'ciment', which itself originated from latin 'caementum', meaning 'quarry stone' or 'chips of stone used in making mortar'. this latin term is derived from the verb 'caedere', meaning 'to cut' or 'to hew'. the semantic evolution traces a clear path from the action of cutting stone, to the resulting stone chips, and finally to the powdered binding agent made from burnt limestone and clay. the modern abstract meanings of binding and strengthening relationships are metaphorical extensions from the material's primary function of physically joining objects together.
Analysis
the entire word 'cement' is a simplex unit derived from a single Latin root. it is not productively formed from smaller, independently meaningful morphemes in modern english.
Examples
the workers mixed cement, sand, and gravel to pour the foundation.
the treaty helped to cement the alliance between the two nations.
the dentist used a special cement to attach the crown to the tooth.