condign
UK[kənˈdaɪn]US[kənˈdaɪn]
adj
(of punishment or retribution) appropriate to the crime or wrongdoing; fitting and deserved.
Morpheme Breakdown
con
dign
con
together, with, thoroughly
dign
Etymology
the word condign entered english in the late middle english period, borrowed from the old french 'condigne', which itself derives from the latin 'condignus', meaning 'wholly worthy'. the latin term is a compound of the intensive prefix 'con-' (thoroughly) and 'dignus' (worthy, deserving). the semantic journey is direct: something that is 'thoroughly worthy' or 'fully deserved', particularly in the context of a penalty, logically evolved into the modern sense of a punishment that is precisely fitting and appropriate to the offense committed. it is a formal term, almost exclusively used in legal or literary contexts to describe just retribution.
Analysis
Structure: con + dign
- con- (latin origin): a prefix meaning 'together, with, thoroughly'.
- dign (latin origin): from the root meaning 'worthy'.
Examples
the judge handed down a condign sentence that reflected the severity of the crime.
many felt that the corrupt official's downfall was a condign punishment for his years of deceit.
in classic literature, villains often meet a condign end, satisfying the audience's sense of justice.