decompress
UK[ˌdiːkəmˈpres]US[ˌdiːkəmˈpres]
v
to release from pressure or compression.
v
to undergo release from pressure.
v
to relax or unwind after a period of work or stress.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
com
press
de
reverse
com
together
press
press
Etymology
the word 'decompress' is a modern formation built from classical latin elements. the prefix 'de-' carries the sense of reversal or removal. the root 'press', from the latin verb 'premere', means to exert steady force upon. the connecting infix 'com-' intensifies this to mean pressing together. therefore, the literal construction means 'to reverse the action of pressing together'. this logical progression from the physical act of releasing pressure evolved naturally to describe both the reduction of physical compression and the metaphorical relief from mental or emotional strain.
Analysis
Structure: de (reverse) + com (together) + press (press)
de- (latin origin, a prefix meaning 'down from, off, reversing'); com- (latin origin, a variant of 'cum' meaning 'with, together'); press (latin origin, from 'premere' meaning 'to press').
Examples
divers must ascend slowly to decompress safely.
the software is used to decompress the archived files.
after the intense project, she took a vacation to decompress.