corroboration
UK[kəˌrɒb.əˈreɪ.ʃən]US[kəˌrɑː.bəˈreɪ.ʃən]
n
evidence or information that supports or confirms a statement, theory, or finding.
Morpheme Breakdown
cor
robor
ation
cor
intensive
robor
strength
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'corroboration' originates from the Latin verb 'corroborare', meaning 'to strengthen'. This verb itself is a composite of the intensive prefix 'cor-' (a form of 'com-') and the root 'roborare', derived from 'robur' signifying 'strength' or 'oak wood', a classic symbol of durability. The literal sense of 'making something as strong as oak' evolved in legal and formal English to signify the action of providing supporting evidence, thereby strengthening an argument or testimony. Thus, the modern abstract meaning retains the core concept of adding strength, but specifically through confirmatory facts or testimony.
Analysis
Structure: cor (intensive) + robor (strength) + ation (noun suffix)
cor: Latin prefix, a variant of 'com-' meaning 'together' or 'thoroughly', used here as an intensive prefix.
robor: Latin root from 'robur, roboris' meaning 'strength, oak tree'.
ation: Latin-derived noun-forming suffix indicating an action or process, or its result.
Examples
The new witness provided crucial corroboration for the victim's account.
We are seeking scientific corroboration of the initial experimental results.
His alibi lacked any independent corroboration and was therefore dismissed.