concern
UK[kənˈsɜːn]US[kənˈsɜːrn]
v
To relate to or affect someone or something; to be about a particular subject.
v
To cause someone to feel anxious or worried.
n
A feeling of worry or anxiety about something important.
n
Something that is of interest or importance to a person; a matter or affair.
Morpheme Breakdown
con
cern
con
together
cern
to sift
Etymology
The word 'concern' originates from the Late Latin verb 'concernere', which meant 'to sift together' or, by extension, 'to distinguish' and 'to perceive'. This Latin term is a compound of the intensive prefix 'con-' (thoroughly) and the verb 'cernere' (to sift, separate, decide). The core logic of 'cernere' involves the act of separating things to perceive them clearly. Over time in Medieval Latin, 'concernere' evolved to mean 'to relate to' or 'to be pertinent to', a sense rooted in the idea of things being 'sifted together' or mixed up in the same matter. This semantic evolution from the literal 'sift together' to the abstract 'be relevant to' paved the way for the modern English meanings involving relevance, interest, and the associated feelings of care and anxiety.
Analysis
Structure: con + cern
- con: A Latin prefix meaning 'together', 'with', or 'thoroughly'. It functions as an intensifier in this word.
- cern: From the Latin root 'cernere', meaning 'to sift', 'to separate', 'to distinguish', or 'to perceive'. It functions as the core lexical root.
Examples
This matter does not concern you directly.
The rising pollution levels are a major concern for public health officials.
Her primary concern is the safety and well-being of her children.