confirmation
UK[ˌkɒnfəˈmeɪʃn]US[ˌkɑːnfərˈmeɪʃn]
n
the act or process of confirming, verifying, or making something definite or official.
n
a statement, proof, or ceremony that provides such verification.
Morpheme Breakdown
con
firm
ation
con
together, thoroughly
firm
strong, steadfast
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
The word "confirmation" originates from the Latin verb confirmare, meaning "to strengthen, make firm, establish, affirm". This verb itself is a compound of the intensive prefix con- (thoroughly) and the root firmus (strong, steadfast). The core concept is the action of making something so strong and stable in its truth or validity that it is beyond doubt. In ecclesiastical Latin, it took on the specific sense of a rite that strengthens faith. Entering English via Old French confirmacion in the 14th century, the term has retained this dual sense of a formal act of establishing truth and the resulting state of certainty, applying to both secular verification and religious sacrament.
Analysis
Structure: con (together, thoroughly) + firm (strong, steadfast) + ation (noun suffix)
- con: A prefix from Latin cum, meaning "together, with, thoroughly". It intensifies the meaning of the root.
- firm: A root from Latin firmus, meaning "strong, steadfast, stable".
- ation: A noun-forming suffix from Latin -ationem, indicating an action or process, or the result of an action.
Examples
We are awaiting written confirmation of the booking before we travel.
The discovery of the wreckage provided tragic confirmation of the plane's fate.
She will receive her confirmation at the cathedral next spring.