destruction
UK[dɪˈstrʌkʃn]US[dɪˈstrʌkʃn]
n
The act or process of destroying something, or the state of being destroyed
n
Something that causes very great damage
Morpheme Breakdown
de
struct
ion
de
down, away
struct
build
ion
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'destruction' is built upon a core Latin metaphor of construction. Its root, struere (to build), is combined with the prefix de-, which here signifies reversal or undoing. Thus, the literal sense is "an un-building" or "a tearing down of what has been built." This concrete image of dismantling a structure evolved seamlessly into the modern abstract meaning of causing ruin or bringing something to an end. The suffix -ion solidifies this action or its result into a noun, completing the journey from the physical act of demolition to the concept of complete devastation or termination.
Analysis
Structure: de (down, away) + struct (build) + ion (noun suffix)
de: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "down, away, off, reversal, removal."
struct: Latin origin, from the root of the verb struere, meaning "to build, pile up, arrange."
ion: Latin origin, a suffix forming nouns of action or state.
Examples
The hurricane left a trail of complete destruction along the coast.
The destruction of vital documents hampered the investigation.
War brings not only physical destruction but also immense psychological suffering.