domestication
UK[dəˌmɛstɪˈkeɪʃən]US[dəˌmɛstɪˈkeɪʃən]
n
The process of taming an animal and keeping it as a pet or on a farm.
n
The process of making someone good at cooking, cleaning the house, etc., and interested in home life.
Morpheme Breakdown
domestic
ate
ion
domestic
of the home
ate
verb suffix
ion
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'domestication' traces its lineage to the Latin noun domus, meaning "house" or "home." The adjective domesticus (of the household) was formed from this root. In English, the verb-forming suffix '-ate' was appended to create 'domesticate,' meaning "to bring into the home" or "to make suitable for home life." Finally, the addition of the noun suffix '-ion' crystallizes the action into the process itself. Thus, the literal journey from "house" to "domestication" encapsulates the human endeavor of bringing wild animals and plants under the control and into the sphere of the household, fundamentally altering their nature for cohabitation and utility.
Analysis
Structure: domestic (of the home) + ate (verb suffix) + ion (noun suffix)
domestic: From Latin domesticus (belonging to the house), from domus (house). Functions as the core adjective/root.
ate: A verb-forming suffix of Latin origin, indicating to make or become.
ion: A noun-forming suffix of Latin origin, indicating an action or process.
Examples
The domestication of wolves was a key step in human prehistory.
Plant domestication led to the development of agriculture.
His travels ended with a gradual domestication as he settled into family life.