consume
UK[kənˈsjuːm]US[kənˈsuːm]
v
to use something such as fuel, energy, or time, especially in large amounts
v
to eat or drink something
v
(of fire) to completely destroy something
Morpheme Breakdown
con
sume
con
together, completely
sume
take
Etymology
The word "consume" originates from the Latin consumere, meaning "to take up completely, use up, eat, waste." This Latin verb is a compound of the intensive prefix com- (here meaning "altogether") and sumere (to take). The core notion is of taking something up entirely, whether by using it, eating it, or destroying it. This literal sense of total uptake evolved from physical consumption (like food or fuel) to more abstract uses, such as consuming time or being consumed by an emotion. The modern meanings retain this central idea of complete use or destruction, linking the ancient act of taking up to contemporary concepts of expenditure and depletion.
Analysis
Structure: con (together, completely) + sume (take)
- con-: A Latin prefix meaning "together, with, completely." It assimilates from 'com-' before certain consonants.
- sume: From the Latin verb sumere, meaning "to take, take up, buy, use." It is a variant of emere (to take, buy) with the prefix sub- (from below, up).
Examples
Modern appliances are designed to consume less electricity.
He consumes a vast amount of information by reading several newspapers daily.
The fire quickly consumed the old wooden barn.