denomination
UK[dɪˌnɒmɪˈneɪʃən]US[dɪˌnɑːmɪˈneɪʃən]
n
A recognized autonomous branch of a religious body, especially a Christian church.
n
The face value of a banknote, coin, or postage stamp.
n
A name or designation, especially one for a class of things.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
nomin
ation
de
completely
nomin
name
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'denomination' originates from the Latin verb denominare, meaning "to name." This verb itself is a compound of the intensive prefix de- and nominare ("to name"), which comes from nomen ("name"). The core concept of naming or specifying was carried into Middle English via Old French. Over time, its meaning evolved from the general act of naming to more specific applications: a classifying name for a category (like a religious group), and later, the specific value named on a currency unit. Thus, the literal logic of "completely naming" underlies the modern abstract senses of classification and specified value.
Analysis
Structure: de (completely) + nomin (name) + ation (noun suffix)
- de: A Latin prefix meaning "completely" or "down from," here serving as an intensifier.
- nomin: A Latin root derived from nomen (name), forming the core meaning of the word.
- ation: A Latin-derived suffix forming nouns of action or state.
Examples
The Baptist and Methodist churches are two major Protestant denominations.
The vending machine only accepts coins of small denominations.
They argued over the precise denomination of the political philosophy he advocated.