colleague
UK[ˈkɒliːɡ]US[ˈkɑːliːɡ]
n
a person that you work with, especially in a profession or a business
Morpheme Breakdown
col
league
col
together
league
to choose, appoint, or send as a deputy
Etymology
The word 'colleague' originates from the Latin 'collega', meaning 'partner in office', which itself is a compound of 'com-' (together) and 'legare' (to choose or send as a deputy). The term entered English via Middle French 'collègue' in the 16th century, carrying the sense of a person chosen or appointed to work alongside another in an official capacity. Over time, the meaning broadened from its specific association with shared public office or profession to its modern, more general sense of a fellow worker or associate in any employment or enterprise.
Analysis
Structure: col + league
- col: A variant of the Latin prefix 'com-', meaning 'together' or 'with'.
- league: From Latin 'legare', meaning 'to choose, appoint, or send as a deputy'.
Examples
She discussed the idea with several of her colleagues.
He is well-respected by both his colleagues and his clients.
I'd like you to meet my colleague from the marketing department.