concrete
UK[ˈkɒŋkriːt]US[ˈkɑːŋkriːt]
adj
Existing in a material or physical form; not abstract.
n
A heavy, rough building material made from a mixture of broken stone or gravel, sand, cement, and water, that forms a stone-like mass when hard.
v
To cover with, form of, or set in concrete.
Morpheme Breakdown
con
crete
con
crete
Etymology
The word "concrete" originates from the Latin verb 'concrescere', meaning "to grow together" or "to harden". This verb is composed of the prefix 'con-' (together) and 'crescere' (to grow). In its earliest Latin usage, the past participle 'concretus' described things that had grown together or solidified into a single mass. This literal sense of physical amalgamation and solidification was carried into Middle English, first as a philosophical term for something material and composite, before becoming specifically associated with the modern construction material in the 19th century. The evolution from "grown together" to a specific building substance perfectly illustrates the semantic journey from a general process to a named, tangible product.
Analysis
Structure: con + crete
- con (Latin): A prefix meaning "together" or "with".
- crete (Latin): From the past participle 'cretus' of the verb 'crescere', meaning "to grow".
Examples
The architect prefers concrete examples over abstract theories.
The sidewalk was made of poured concrete.
They plan to concrete the backyard patio next week.