disempowerment
UK[ˌdɪs.ɪmˈpaʊə.mənt]US[ˌdɪs.ɪmˈpaʊ.ɚ.mənt]
n
the process of taking away someone's power or authority, or the state of having no power.
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
em
power
ment
dis
reverse
em
cause to be
power
ability
ment
state of
Etymology
the word disempowerment is a modern english construction built from layered historical components. its core, 'power', traces back to the latin verb 'posse' (to be able), which entered english through the anglo-norman conduit. the prefix 'dis-', of latin origin, acts as a powerful negator or reverser of action. the formative 'em-', a variant of 'en-', is grafted onto 'power' to create the verb 'empower', meaning to invest with authority or ability. finally, the noun-forming suffix '-ment', also of latin origin via french, is added to signify the state or process. thus, disempowerment logically narrates the process of causing the reversal or removal of the state of being able or authorized.
Analysis
Structure: dis (reverse) + em (cause to be) + power (ability) + ment (state of)
'dis-' is a Latin prefix meaning "apart, away, having a negative or reversing force." 'em-' is an assimilated form of the Latin prefix 'in-' (meaning "in, into, on, cause to be") used before 'b', 'm', 'p'. 'power' is from Anglo-Norman French 'poer', Old French 'pouoir', ultimately from Latin 'posse' meaning "to be able." '-ment' is a suffix of Latin origin (via French) forming nouns indicating an action, process, or resulting state.
Examples
the policy led to the disempowerment of local communities.
she spoke about the feelings of disempowerment experienced by marginalized groups.
the restructuring resulted in the disempowerment of middle management.