enlarge

The verb 'enlarge' is a Middle English formation, created by combining the prefix 'en-' with the adjective 'large'. The prefix 'en-', derived from Latin in- via French, has the causative sense of "to make" or "to put into a certain state." The root 'large' entered English from Old French, where it meant 'broad, wide, generous,' tracing back to Latin largus ('abundant, copious'). Thus, the literal construction "to make large" perfectly captures the modern meaning. The word's journey illustrates a common pattern in English where a French/Latin adjective is transformed into a verb through the addition of a productive prefix, creating a precise term for the act of increasing size or scope.

Structure: en (to cause) + large (big) - en: A prefix of French and Latin origin, meaning "to cause to be" or "put into." In this word, it functions as a verb-forming prefix. - large: An adjective of French origin (ultimately from Latin largus meaning 'abundant, generous'), meaning "big in size or scope." In this word, it functions as the core semantic root.