consuming
UK[kənˈsjuːmɪŋ]US[kənˈsuːmɪŋ]
adj
(of an activity, interest, or feeling) taking all of someone's time and energy
adj
(of a fire) completely destroying something
Morpheme Breakdown
con
sum
ing
con
together, completely
sum
take
ing
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'consuming' originates from the Latin verb consumere, formed by the intensive prefix com- (meaning "altogether") and the verb sumere (meaning "to take up"). This combination created the literal sense "to take up completely," which evolved into meanings of using up, devouring, or destroying. In English, the present participle form '-ing' was applied to the verb 'consume' to create an adjective describing something that figuratively "takes up completely" one's time, attention, or energy, or literally destroys something, as by fire.
Analysis
Structure: con (together, completely) + sum (take) + ing (adjective suffix)
- con: Latin prefix meaning "together, with, completely".
- sum: From Latin root sumere, meaning "to take, to use up".
- ing: Old English present participle ending, used here to form an adjective from a verb.
Examples
He has a consuming passion for classical music.
The project became an all-consuming task for the entire team.
The fire raged through the building, consuming everything in its path.