commendation
UK[ˌkɒm.enˈdeɪ.ʃən]US[ˌkɑː.menˈdeɪ.ʃən]
n
An official statement praising someone, especially someone who has been brave or very successful.
n
An award given as a formal honor for an achievement.
Morpheme Breakdown
com
mend
ation
com
together
mend
entrust
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'commendation' originates from the Latin verb commendare, meaning "to commit to the care of, to entrust, to praise." This verb itself is a compound of the intensive prefix com- ("together, thoroughly") and mandare ("to entrust, order"). The core concept is the act of entrusting someone or something with approval or praise. Over time, the meaning shifted from the general act of recommending or entrusting to the specific formal expression of praise or the award that embodies it. The suffix -ation solidifies this action or its result into a noun, giving us the modern sense of an official award or statement of high praise.
Analysis
Structure: com (together) + mend (entrust) + ation (noun suffix)
- com: Latin prefix; meaning "together, with".
- mend: Latin root; from mendare, meaning "to entrust, to commit to one's care".
- ation: Latin suffix; forms nouns of action or state.
Examples
The firefighter received a commendation for her bravery.
His research earned him a commendation from the scientific community.
The officer's file was full of commendations for exemplary service.