decaf
UK[ˈdiːkæf]US[ˈdiːkæf]
n
Coffee from which most of the caffeine has been removed.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
caf
de
remove
caf
coffee
Etymology
The word 'decaf' is a modern English portmanteau, a blend formed in the 20th century. It is a shortened form of 'decaffeinated', which itself is built from the Latin prefix 'de-' (meaning 'off, away') and the word 'caffeine'. The logic is direct and functional: the prefix 'de-' signals the removal of the substance 'caffeine' from the coffee. The clipped form 'caf' efficiently evokes the core concept of coffee or caffeine, making the term a concise and colloquial label for the product.
Analysis
Structure: de (remove) + caf (coffee)
- de: A prefix of Latin origin meaning "remove, reverse, or take away".
- caf: A clipped form of the English word "caffeine" or "coffee".
Examples
I'll have a large decaf to go, please.
She switched to decaf in the evenings to help her sleep.
This brand offers a surprisingly rich flavor for a decaf.