evaporate
UK[ɪˈvæpəreɪt]US[ɪˈvæpəreɪt]
v
to change from a liquid into a gas or vapour
v
to disappear or cease to exist
Morpheme Breakdown
e
vapor
ate
e
out
vapor
steam
ate
verb suffix
Etymology
the word 'evaporate' has a clear and logical construction from latin components. it is formed from the prefix 'e-' (a variant of 'ex-'), meaning 'out', combined with 'vapor', meaning 'steam' or 'vapour', and the verbal suffix '-ate', which indicates a process or action. the literal sense is thus 'to turn into vapour and pass out'. this perfectly describes the physical process where a liquid disperses into the air. over time, the meaning extended metaphorically to describe anything that vanishes or disappears as if turning into vapour.
Analysis
Structure: e (out) + vapor (steam) + ate (verb suffix)
e: latin origin, a prefix meaning 'out' or 'away'.
vapor: latin origin, meaning 'steam' or 'exhalation'. functions as the core root.
ate: latin origin, a verb-forming suffix meaning 'to make' or 'to become'.
Examples
the sun will evaporate the morning dew.
heat is used to evaporate the water, leaving the salt behind.
his initial enthusiasm seemed to evaporate as the project grew more difficult.