documentary
Meaning
consisting of official documents or factual evidence.
using pictures or interviews with people involved in real events to provide a factual report.
a film or television or radio programme that provides a factual report on a particular subject.
Structure
Usage
the lawyer presented documentary evidence to support her case.
we watched a fascinating documentary about marine life in the deep ocean.
his research is based on extensive documentary sources from the national archives.
Etymology
the word 'documentary' originates from the latin verb 'docere', meaning "to teach". its derivative, 'documentum', referred to a lesson or an official paper that served as proof or instruction. the suffix '-ary', entering english via old french, denotes a relationship or pertinence. thus, the literal construction "pertaining to documents" evolved from describing evidence-based records to its modern sense of a non-fictional, factual film genre that aims to inform or instruct its audience, preserving the core idea of providing proof and education.
Analysis
document: from latin 'documentum' (lesson, proof), from 'docere' (to teach). serves as the core noun/verb root. ary: a suffix of latin origin via old french '-aire', forming adjectives meaning "of, connected with, or pertaining to".