epoxy
UK[ɪˈpɒksi]US[ɪˈpɑːksi]
n
a type of strong glue, paint, or other substance that is made by mixing two liquids which form a hard, permanent material when they react together.
v
to glue something using epoxy.
Morpheme Breakdown
ep
oxy
ep
upon
oxy
sharp, acid
Etymology
the term 'epoxy' is a modern scientific coinage derived from greek roots. it is a contraction of 'epoxide', which describes the chemical structure where an oxygen atom is attached to two carbon atoms in a three-membered ring. the prefix 'ep-' signifies 'upon', indicating the oxygen's position relative to the carbon chain, while '-oxy' refers to oxygen itself, historically linked to the greek concept of 'sharpness' associated with acids. thus, the word's literal construction, 'upon-oxygen', logically evolved to name the specific class of reactive compounds and, by extension, the durable adhesives and coatings made from them.
Analysis
Structure: ep (upon) + oxy (sharp, acid)
'ep' is a prefix of greek origin meaning 'upon', 'on', or 'at'. 'oxy' is a combining form from greek, derived from 'oxus' meaning 'sharp' or 'acid'.
Examples
he used a two-part epoxy to repair the broken ceramic vase.
the epoxy resin coating provides a tough, waterproof surface for the garage floor.
you need to epoxy the components in place before the mixture hardens.