deflate
UK[dɪˈfleɪt]US[dɪˈfleɪt]
v
to let air or gas out of something such as a tire or balloon
v
to make someone feel less confident or important
v
to cause a reduction in economic activity or in the level of prices
Morpheme Breakdown
de
flate
de
remove
flate
blow
Etymology
the word 'deflate' is built from two latin-derived elements. the prefix 'de-' carries the sense of reversal or removal, while the root 'flate' originates from the latin verb flare, meaning 'to blow'. the literal, mechanical meaning of 'deflate'—to let air out of something—directly follows this construction: to remove the blowing or the breath. over time, this concrete action was metaphorically extended to describe the reduction of abstract qualities, such as confidence or economic value, mirroring the physical act of something losing its inflated state.
Analysis
Structure: de (remove) + flate (blow)
de- (latin origin, a prefix meaning 'down from, off, away, remove'); flate (from latin flare, 'to blow')
Examples
he carefully deflated the air mattress after the camping trip.
the harsh criticism deflated his enthusiasm for the project.
the government's policies were designed to deflate the housing bubble.