collaboration
UK[kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃn]US[kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃn]
n
the act of working with another person or group of people to create or produce something.
n
something created by working jointly with another or others.
Morpheme Breakdown
col
labor
ation
col
together with
labor
work, toil
ation
Etymology
the word 'collaboration' is a direct borrowing from late latin 'collaborationem', the noun of action from the verb 'collaborare'. this verb itself is a compound of the latin prefix 'com-' (meaning 'together') and 'laborare' (meaning 'to work'). the root 'laborare' descends from the latin noun 'labor', signifying exertion or toil, which is of uncertain proto-indo-european origin but may be linked to concepts of slipping or being under a burden. thus, the literal 'working together' of its components evolved seamlessly into the modern abstract meaning of cooperative effort, often for a shared intellectual or creative goal.
Analysis
Structure: col + labor + ation
col: latin origin, a form of the prefix 'com-' meaning 'together with'.
labor: latin origin, meaning 'work, toil'.
ation: latin origin, a noun-forming suffix indicating an action or process.
Examples
the project was completed successfully through close collaboration between the two departments.
the book is a collaboration between a historian and a journalist.
international collaboration is essential for tackling global issues like climate change.