consolidate
Meaning
to make something stronger or more solid
to combine several things, especially businesses, so that they become more effective
Structure
Usage
the company aims to consolidate its position in the market.
the two departments were consolidated to improve efficiency.
she took a short break to consolidate her thoughts before continuing.
Etymology
the word consolidate originates from the latin verb 'consolidare', which itself is a compound of the intensive prefix 'con-' and the adjective 'solidus', meaning 'solid'. the literal sense was 'to make solid together'. this meaning traveled through late latin and old french before entering middle english. the modern abstract meanings of strengthening or merging into a single, more effective whole are direct logical extensions of this original idea of making things firm and unified.
Analysis
con- (latin prefix, meaning 'together' or 'with'), solid (latin root, meaning 'firm' or 'whole'), -ate (latin suffix, forming verbs meaning 'to make' or 'to act')