debauchery
UK[dɪˈbɔːtʃəri]US[dɪˈbɔːtʃəri]
n
excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures, especially involving sex, alcohol, or drugs.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
bauch
ery
de
completely, thoroughly
bauch
beam, rafter
ery
Etymology
the word 'debauchery' entered english from the french 'débaucher', meaning 'to lead away from duty, to corrupt'. the french term itself is believed to derive from the old french 'bauch', meaning a 'beam' or 'rafter', used metaphorically to suggest the idea of turning someone from the straight path, as if bending a beam. the prefix 'de-' intensifies this sense of leading completely astray. thus, the literal notion of 'making crooked' evolved into the modern abstract meaning denoting a state of excessive and morally corrupt indulgence.
Analysis
Structure: de + bauch + ery
de- (prefix of French origin, meaning 'completely, thoroughly'); bauch (from Old French 'bauch', meaning 'beam, rafter', used figuratively to mean 'to make crooked, to lead astray'); -ery (noun-forming suffix of French/Latin origin, indicating a state, condition, or practice).
Examples
the tales of his debauchery shocked the conservative community.
the film depicts a life of wealth and debauchery in ancient rome.
he abandoned his studies for a year of pure debauchery.