corrugate
UK[ˈkɒrəɡeɪt]US[ˈkɔːrəɡeɪt]
v
To form or shape into a series of parallel ridges and grooves.
v
To become shaped into such a series of folds.
Morpheme Breakdown
cor
rug
ate
cor
rug
ate
Etymology
The word 'corrugate' is built directly from Latin components. Its core is the noun 'ruga', meaning a wrinkle or fold, which itself may trace back to a Proto-Indo-European root suggesting roughness or a ridge. The intensive prefix 'com-' (here assimilated to 'cor-') adds the sense of 'thoroughly' or 'together'. Combined with the verbal suffix '-ate', the literal construction means 'to make into wrinkles together'. This evolved logically into the modern technical meaning of shaping sheet material, like metal or cardboard, into a series of parallel ridges and grooves for added strength.
Analysis
Structure: cor + rug + ate
- cor (Latin): A variant of 'com-', meaning 'together' or 'intensively'.
- rug (Latin): From 'ruga', meaning 'a wrinkle, fold, or crease'.
- ate (Latin): A verb-forming suffix meaning 'to make or become'.
Examples
The machine is designed to corrugate sheets of steel for roofing material.
Cardboard is made by sandwiching a corrugated layer between two flat liners.
His brow began to corrugate in deep concentration as he studied the complex diagram.