enmeshment
UK[ɪnˈmɛʃmənt]US[ɪnˈmɛʃmənt]
n
the state or condition of being entangled or caught, as if in a net.
n
a complicated or restrictive situation from which it is difficult to extricate oneself.
Morpheme Breakdown
en
mesh
ment
en
cause to be
mesh
net
ment
state or condition
Etymology
the word 'enmeshment' weaves together a story of literal and figurative entanglement. its core, 'mesh', originates from the old english 'masc', meaning "net," a term of germanic origin. the prefix 'en-', derived from latin, acts as a verbal force meaning "to cause to be in," transforming the noun into the verb 'enmesh', meaning to catch in or as if in a net. finally, the suffix '-ment', of latin origin, converts the action into a noun denoting the resulting state or condition. thus, the modern abstract meaning evolved from the physical act of being caught in a net to describe any complex, inescapable situation.
Analysis
Structure: en (cause to be) + mesh (net) + ment (state or condition)
en- (from latin in-, meaning "in, into, cause to be"), mesh (from middle english mesche, from old english masc, meaning "net"), -ment (from latin -mentum, a suffix forming nouns indicating a state, condition, or result of an action).
Examples
the therapist discussed the emotional enmeshment between the mother and adult child.
the legal enmeshment of the two companies made a simple separation impossible.
he felt a sense of enmeshment in the bureaucratic red tape.