commingle
UK[kɒˈmɪŋɡl]US[kəˈmɪŋɡəl]
v
To mix or blend together thoroughly.
v
To combine or become combined, especially so that the original elements become difficult to distinguish.
Morpheme Breakdown
com
mingle
com
together
mingle
mix
Etymology
The word 'commingle' is a compound formed from the intensive Latin prefix 'com-' and the English verb 'mingle.' 'Mingle' itself has deep Germanic roots, tracing back to the Old English 'mengan,' meaning to mix or combine, which is related to the Old High German 'mengen.' The addition of the prefix 'com-' (from Latin 'cum,' meaning "with, together") in the 16th century reinforced and intensified the sense of thorough mixing. Thus, the literal "mix together" evolved into the modern abstract meaning of blending elements so completely that they lose their individual distinction.
Analysis
Structure: com (together) + mingle (mix)
com: A Latin prefix meaning "together, with, jointly." It is an assimilated form of 'cum' and functions as an intensifier in this word.
mingle: From Middle English 'mengen,' meaning "to mix," from Old English 'mengan,' of Germanic origin. It functions as the core verb root meaning "to mix."
Examples
In the estuary, fresh water and salt water commingle.
The funds from different accounts should not be commingled.
Their voices commingled in a beautiful harmony.