empower
UK[ɪmˈpaʊə(r)]US[ɪmˈpaʊər]
v
To give someone the authority or power to do something.
v
To make someone stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights.
Morpheme Breakdown
em
power
em
cause to be
power
ability, strength
Etymology
The verb 'empower' is a relatively modern English formation, constructed in the mid-17th century by combining the prefix 'em-' (a form of 'en-') with the noun 'power'. The prefix 'en-', derived from Latin 'in-', carries the causative sense of 'putting into' a state or condition. The core noun 'power' traces back to the Latin verb 'posse' ('to be able'), which itself originates from the Proto-Indo-European compound poti- ('powerful, lord') and h₁es- ('to be'), literally meaning 'to be master'. Therefore, the literal construction of 'empower' is 'to cause to be in a state of power or ability'. Over time, its meaning expanded from the formal granting of legal authority to encompass the broader social and psychological sense of enabling strength and self-determination.
Analysis
Structure: em (cause to be) + power (ability, strength)
- em: A variant of the prefix 'en-', of Latin origin via French, meaning 'to put into', 'to cause to be'.
- power: From Anglo-Norman French 'poer', Old French 'povoir', ultimately from Latin 'posse' meaning 'to be able'. It functions as the core root denoting ability, strength, or authority.
Examples
The new law will empower local councils to set their own tax rates.
Education empowers people to take control of their own futures.
She felt empowered after speaking up in the meeting.