concussion
UK[kənˈkʌʃn]US[kənˈkʌʃn]
n
A temporary injury to the brain caused by a blow to the head, resulting in headache, dizziness, or confusion.
n
A violent shock as from a heavy blow or collision.
Morpheme Breakdown
con
cuss
ion
con
together
cuss
strike
ion
noun suffix
Etymology
The word concussion originates from the Latin concussio, meaning "a shaking" or "a violent striking together." This noun was derived from the verb concutere, which combines the prefix con- ("together") with quatere ("to shake, strike"). The core imagery is of things being violently shaken or dashed together. Over time, the meaning narrowed in medical English to specifically denote the shaking of the brain within the skull caused by a blow, while retaining its more general sense of a violent shock or impact.
Analysis
Structure: con (together) + cuss (strike) + ion (noun suffix)
- con: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "together, with".
- cuss: Latin origin, from the root of the verb quatere meaning "to shake, to strike".
- ion: Latin origin, a suffix forming nouns denoting action or condition.
Examples
The football player was sidelined for a month after suffering a severe concussion.
The concussion from the explosion shattered windows several blocks away.
She experienced a mild concussion after slipping and hitting her head on the ice.