enrich
UK[ɪnˈrɪtʃ]US[ɪnˈrɪtʃ]
v
to improve the quality of something by adding something to it
v
to make someone richer or wealthier
Morpheme Breakdown
en
rich
en
cause to be
rich
wealthy
Etymology
the verb 'enrich' is a combination of the prefix 'en-' and the adjective 'rich'. the prefix 'en-', entering english via old french from latin 'in-', carries the causative sense of "to put into a certain state" or "to make". the core element 'rich' originates from the old english 'rīċe', which meant "powerful, of high rank", a concept closely tied to wealth. this old english term is derived from the proto-germanic rīkijaz, itself a borrowing from a celtic source related to latin 'rex' (king) and ultimately from the proto-indo-european root h₃rḗǵs (ruler). thus, the literal construction "to make rich" evolved from the specific idea of granting power or nobility to the broader modern meanings of enhancing wealth or improving quality by adding valuable components.
Analysis
Structure: en (cause to be) + rich (wealthy)
en: from old french, ultimately from latin 'in-', a prefix meaning "in, into, to cause to be".
rich: from old english 'rīċe', meaning "powerful, wealthy", from proto-germanic rīkijaz, meaning "powerful".
Examples
adding compost will enrich the soil in your garden.
the museum's new acquisition will greatly enrich its collection of modern art.
the discovery of oil promised to enrich the nation.