enervate
Meaning
to make someone feel weak and without energy
to reduce the mental or moral strength of someone or something
Structure
Usage
the oppressive heat began to enervate the hikers, slowing their progress to a crawl.
critics argue that excessive bureaucracy can enervate an organization's innovative spirit.
she felt enervated by the constant stress and lack of sleep.
Etymology
the word enervate originates from the latin verb 'enervare', which is a combination of the prefix 'e-' (meaning 'out') and the root 'nervus' (meaning 'sinew or nerve'). the literal sense was 'to remove the sinews from', a physical act of cutting the tendons to render someone or something powerless. this concrete meaning evolved metaphorically in english to describe the process of draining someone's vitality or vigor, moving from a physical to a mental or spiritual weakening. thus, the modern abstract meaning of causing lethargy or debilitation logically extends from the ancient image of being literally 'unstrung'.
Analysis
e- (latin, prefix meaning 'out of, from'); nerv (latin, root meaning 'sinew, nerve'); -ate (latin, verb-forming suffix)