dissipate
UK[ˈdɪsɪpeɪt]US[ˈdɪsɪpeɪt]
v
to gradually disappear or waste something, such as energy, money, or a feeling
v
to scatter or disperse
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
sip
ate
dis
apart
sip
throw
ate
verb suffix
Etymology
the word 'dissipate' originates from the latin verb 'dissipare', meaning 'to scatter, disperse, or squander'. this latin term is itself a compound of the intensive prefix 'dis-' (apart) and the verb 'supare' (to throw). the core imagery is one of throwing things apart in various directions. this literal sense of physical scattering evolved in english to encompass the figurative meanings of causing something to disappear by dispersion, such as fog or doubt, and the wasteful squandering of resources like money or energy.
Analysis
Structure: dis (apart) + sip (throw) + ate (verb suffix)
dis- (latin prefix meaning 'apart' or 'away'), -sip- (from latin verb 'supare', a variant of 'sīpare', meaning 'to throw'), -ate (latin suffix used to form verbs)
Examples
the morning fog began to dissipate as the sun rose higher.
he managed to dissipate his family's fortune within a few years.
the tension in the room quickly dissipated after the agreement was reached.