conference
UK[ˈkɒn.fər.əns]US[ˈkɑːn.fɚ.əns]
n
A large formal meeting where people discuss ideas and information related to a particular subject, often lasting several days.
n
An event at which someone gives a talk on a subject to an interested audience.
n
The process of discussing something with people before making a decision.
Morpheme Breakdown
con
fer
ence
con
together
fer
carry, bring
ence
noun suffix
Etymology
The word "conference" originates from the Medieval Latin 'conferentia', meaning "a bringing together, a meeting for discussion". This Latin term is built from the verb 'conferre', which combines 'con-' (together) and 'ferre' (to bring, to carry). The literal sense of "bringing together" ideas, people, or reports evolved into the modern abstract meaning of a formal meeting for discussion. The suffix '-ence' transforms the action into a noun denoting the event or the process itself, completing the journey from the physical act of carrying to the intellectual act of convening.
Analysis
Structure: con (together) + fer (carry, bring) + ence (noun suffix)
- con: A prefix of Latin origin, meaning "together, with". It assimilates from 'com-' before certain consonants.
- fer: A root of Latin origin (from 'ferre'), meaning "to carry, to bring".
- ence: A noun-forming suffix of Latin origin (from '-entia'), indicating a state, quality, or act.
Examples
She is attending an international conference on climate change next week.
The professor gave a fascinating conference on ancient Roman history.
The manager called a staff conference to announce the new company policy.