correspond
UK[ˌkɒr.ɪˈspɒnd]US[ˌkɔːr.ɪˈspɑːnd]
v
to be similar or equivalent in character, form, or function
v
to communicate with someone by exchanging letters or emails
Morpheme Breakdown
cor
re
spond
cor
together, with, thoroughly
re
back, again
spond
to pledge, promise, answer
Etymology
The word 'correspond' originates from the Medieval Latin 'correspondere', which is a compound of the Latin prefix 'cor-' (a variant of 'com-', meaning "together") and the verb 'respondere' (meaning "to answer, promise in return"). The literal sense is "to answer together, to match by mutual responsiveness." The verb 'respondere' itself is built from 're-' ("back") and 'spondere' ("to pledge"). Thus, the core logic flows from the ancient concept of making a reciprocal pledge or promise back to someone. Over time, this evolved into the modern abstract meanings of being in harmonious agreement (matching) and engaging in reciprocal written communication.
Analysis
Structure: cor + re + spond
cor: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "together, with, thoroughly". It is an assimilated form of 'com-' used before 'r'.
re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "back, again".
spond: Latin origin, from the root 'spondere', meaning "to pledge, promise, answer".
Examples
The witness's account did not correspond with the physical evidence at the scene.
We corresponded for many years before finally meeting in person.
The numbers on the left column correspond to the items listed in the appendix.