cheap
UK[tʃiːp]US[tʃiːp]
adj
low in price; costing little money
adj
charging low prices
adj
of poor quality because of low cost; not expensive or valued
adj
unkind or unfair in a way that shows a lack of respect
Etymology
The word 'cheap' originates from the Old English term 'ceap', meaning a purchase, bargain, or market. This Old English word is itself derived from the Latin 'caupo', meaning a small trader or innkeeper, via a Proto-Germanic intermediary. The semantic journey shifted from the concept of the marketplace itself to the qualities associated with market transactions, specifically low price. Over time, the meaning expanded metaphorically from low financial cost to include notions of poor quality and, later, behavior considered contemptible or mean-spirited.
Analysis
The word 'cheap' is a simplex word derived from Old English. It does not contain separable modern morphemes within its current spelling.
Examples
They found a cheap flight to Madrid.
The furniture was cheap and started falling apart within a year.
Making jokes about his misfortune was a cheap shot.