disinflation
UK[ˌdɪsɪnˈfleɪʃən]US[ˌdɪsɪnˈfleɪʃən]
n
a reduction in the rate of inflation.
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
in
flation
dis
reverse
in
into
flation
blowing
Etymology
the word is a modern economic term constructed in english from latin-derived elements. it is formed by adding the reversing prefix "dis-" to the existing word "inflation". "inflation" itself comes from latin inflatio (a blowing into, swelling), from in- (into) and flare (to blow). the metaphorical leap from physical swelling to economic price increases occurred in the 19th century. therefore, "disinflation" logically builds on this metaphor, literally meaning "the reversal of the blowing/swelling," to describe a period where the rate of price increases slows down.
Analysis
Structure: dis (reverse) + in (into) + flation (blowing)
- dis: latin origin, a prefix meaning "apart, away, having a negative or reversing force".
- in: latin origin, a prefix meaning "in, into, on".
- flation: from latin flare (to blow), via the english word "inflation". here, it represents the concept of economic inflation.
Examples
the central bank's policies successfully engineered a period of disinflation without triggering a recession.
economists are cautiously optimistic that the current disinflation trend will continue.
a gentle disinflation is preferable to a sharp deflation for the health of the economy.