exhaustive
UK[ɪɡˈzɔːstɪv]US[ɪɡˈzɔːstɪv]
adj
including or considering all elements or aspects; fully comprehensive.
adj
tending to exhaust or drain, as of resources or strength (now rare).
Morpheme Breakdown
ex
haust
ive
ex
haust
ive
Etymology
the word 'exhaustive' originates from the latin verb 'exhaurire', meaning 'to draw out, drain off, or empty completely'. this verb itself is a compound of the prefix 'ex-' (out) and 'haurire' (to draw, drain). the core notion is of removing all contents until nothing remains. the modern english adjective, formed by adding the suffix '-ive' to the stem 'exhaust', retains this fundamental logic of thoroughness. it metaphorically applies the concept of complete drainage to intellectual or procedural domains, signifying an analysis or treatment that leaves nothing out, thereby 'draining' a subject of all its details.
Analysis
Structure: ex + haust + ive
ex- (latin prefix: out, thoroughly); haust (latin root: draw, drain); -ive (latin suffix: tending to, having the nature of).
Examples
the researchers conducted an exhaustive review of all the available literature on the topic.
please provide an exhaustive list of all the items required for the project.
the detective's investigation was exhaustive, leaving no stone unturned.