consumption
UK[kənˈsʌmpʃn]US[kənˈsʌmpʃn]
n
the act of using energy, food, or materials; the amount used
n
the act of buying and using products and services
n
(old-fashioned) a serious disease of the lungs, especially tuberculosis
Morpheme Breakdown
con
sumpt
ion
con
together, completely
sumpt
take
ion
noun suffix
Etymology
the word "consumption" originates from the latin verb consumere, meaning "to take up completely, to use up, to devour." this verb is itself composed of con- (an intensifying prefix meaning "altogether") and sumere (to take). the noun form consumptionem entered middle english via old french, initially carrying the literal sense of "a wasting or devouring." this core idea of using something up until it is gone logically extended to the economic and medical domains. in economics, it refers to the using up of goods and services, while its now-archaic medical use for tuberculosis stemmed from the observation of the disease "consuming" the body's resources.
Analysis
Structure: con (together, completely) + sumpt (take) + ion (noun suffix)
- con: from latin, a prefix meaning "together, with, completely".
- sumpt: from latin sumpt-, the stem of sumere (to take, to use up).
- ion: from latin -ionem, a suffix forming nouns indicating an action or process.
Examples
the country's energy consumption has risen steadily.
modern society often encourages excessive consumption.
in the 19th century, consumption was a widespread and feared illness.