confide
UK[kənˈfaɪd]US[kənˈfaɪd]
v
To tell someone a secret or private matter while trusting them not to repeat it to others.
v
To entrust something to someone for safekeeping or with a degree of trust.
Morpheme Breakdown
con
fide
con
together, with
fide
trust
Etymology
The word 'confide' originates from the Latin verb 'confidere', a compound of the intensive prefix 'con-' and the verb 'fidere', meaning 'to trust'. This literal sense of "to trust thoroughly" was carried directly into English in the mid-15th century. The modern meaning, specifically to entrust a secret to someone, developed logically from this core idea of placing complete trust in another person. The related root 'fid-' is prolific in English, appearing in words like 'fidelity', 'confidence', and 'fiduciary', all revolving around the concepts of trust, faith, and reliability.
Analysis
Structure: con (together, with) + fide (trust)
- con: A prefix from Latin 'cum', meaning 'together', 'with', or 'thoroughly'. In this word, it functions as an intensifier.
- fide: A root from Latin 'fidere', meaning 'to trust'. It functions as the core semantic base of the word.
Examples
She needed a friend she could confide in about her worries.
He confided his personal documents to his lawyer for safekeeping.
The child confided to her diary that she felt lonely at school.