correspondence
UK[ˌkɒr.ɪˈspɒn.dəns]US[ˌkɔːr.əˈspɑːn.dəns]
n
The activity of writing letters or emails to someone.
n
A close similarity, connection, or equivalence between two or more things.
Morpheme Breakdown
cor
respond
ence
cor
together
respond
answer
ence
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'correspondence' originates from the Medieval Latin 'correspondentia', meaning 'a mutual agreement or harmony'. It is built from the Latin prefix 'cor-' (an assimilated form of 'com-', meaning 'together') and the verb 'respondere' ('to answer'). The core logic is of things 'answering to each other' or being in mutual agreement. This literal sense of reciprocal answering evolved into its modern meanings: first describing the harmonious exchange of letters, and later extending to describe any analogous relationship or similarity between separate entities.
Analysis
Structure: cor (together) + respond (answer) + ence (noun suffix)
- cor: Latin prefix meaning 'together', 'with', or 'completely'. A variant of 'com-' used before 'r'.
- respond: From Latin 'respondere', meaning 'to answer, promise in return'. In English, it means to say or do something as a reaction.
- ence: A noun-forming suffix of Latin origin ('-entia') indicating a state, quality, or condition.
Examples
He kept up a regular correspondence with his old professor for many years.
There is a direct correspondence between the quality of the materials and the price of the product.
The historical correspondence between these two leaders provides valuable insights into the period.