decision-making
UK[dɪˈsɪʒən meɪkɪŋ]US[dɪˈsɪʒən meɪkɪŋ]
n
The process of deciding about something important, especially in a group or organization.
n
The ability to make decisions quickly and effectively.
Morpheme Breakdown
decision
making
decision
noun
making
gerund
Etymology
The compound 'decision-making' is a modern English formation that logically combines two established words to describe a specific process. The first element, 'decision', originates from the Latin verb decidere, meaning 'to cut off' or 'to settle', derived from de- (off) and caedere (to cut). This etymology reflects the ancient conceptual link between making a definitive choice and cutting off alternative options. The second element, 'making', comes from the Old English verb macian, with a broad sense of creating or forming. Thus, the term's literal construction is "the forming of a cutting-off," which elegantly captures the abstract modern process of selecting a course of action from among possibilities, thereby bringing an issue to a conclusion.
Analysis
Structure: decision (noun) + making (gerund)
- decision: From Latin decisionem (a decision, settlement), from decidere (to decide, cut off). The root 'cis/cid' means 'to cut, kill'. In this compound, it functions as the nominal element, the 'thing' that is made.
- making: From Old English macian (to make, construct, form). In this compound, it functions as the gerund, indicating the process or action of forming or producing.
Examples
The manager was praised for her clear and logical decision-making.
Effective decision-making requires good information and careful judgment.
The committee's decision-making process was slow and bureaucratic.