deflationary
UK[ˌdiːˈfleɪʃənəri]US[ˌdiːˈfleɪʃəneri]
adj
relating to or tending to cause deflation, a reduction in the general level of prices in an economy.
adj
(of a policy or action) designed to reduce economic demand and combat inflation.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
flat
ionary
de
down, away
flat
blow
ionary
relating to
Etymology
the term "deflationary" is built upon the core concept of "deflation," which literally means "a blowing away." it originates from the latin verb "flare" (to blow) and the prefix "de-" (down, away). the past participle "flatus" (having been blown) gives us the root "flat-." thus, the original sense is of wind or air being let out, a vivid metaphor for the economic process where currency value increases and price levels fall, as if the economy is being "deflated." the suffix "-ion" turns the action into a noun ("deflation"), and "-ary" subsequently forms the adjective, creating a modern economic term that logically extends the ancient physical imagery of removing air or reducing pressure.
Analysis
Structure: de (down, away) + flat (blow) + ionary (relating to)
- de: a latin prefix meaning "down from, away, off, completely."
- flat: from the latin root "flat-" (as in "flare," to blow), a direct substring of the spelling derived from the past participle stem "flatus" (blown).
- ionary: a complex english suffix combining "-ion" (noun-forming suffix indicating an action or process) and "-ary" (adjective-forming suffix meaning "of, relating to").
Examples
the government adopted a deflationary budget to curb the rising inflation.
economists are concerned about the deflationary pressures in the housing market.
a prolonged deflationary spiral can be as damaging to an economy as high inflation.