contact
UK[ˈkɒntækt]US[ˈkɑːntækt]
n
The state of touching or meeting something or someone.
n
Communication with someone, especially by speaking or writing to them regularly.
v
To communicate with someone, for example by telephone or letter.
Morpheme Breakdown
con
tact
con
together
tact
touch
Etymology
The word "contact" entered English in the early 17th century from Latin contactus, the past participle of contingere meaning "to touch, border on, affect". This Latin verb is itself a compound of the prefix con- (together, with) and the verb tangere (to touch). The core PIE root is likely teh₂g- (to touch, handle). The literal sense of physical touching evolved logically into the modern abstract meanings of communication and connection, as these actions metaphorically represent a meeting or touching of minds, information, or social spheres.
Analysis
Structure: con (together) + tact (touch)
- con: A prefix of Latin origin, meaning "together, with".
- tact: A root of Latin origin, from tangere meaning "to touch".
Examples
The disease spreads through direct physical contact.
Please contact our customer service department for assistance.
He lost contact with his old school friends after moving abroad.