expat
UK[ˌeksˈpæt]US[ˌeksˈpæt]
n
a person who lives outside their native country.
v
to send someone to live outside their native country; to be sent to live outside one's native country.
Morpheme Breakdown
ex
pat
ex
out of, from, former
pat
native land, fatherland
Etymology
the word "expat" is a modern clipping of the longer term "expatriate." it is built upon the latin prefix "ex-," meaning "out of," and the root connected to "patria," signifying one's fatherland or native country. literally, an expatriate is one who is "out of their fatherland." while "patriot" refers to a person who loves and defends their country, the "expat" has physically and often culturally removed themselves from it. the term has evolved from its formal, sometimes forced, historical context to commonly describe anyone living voluntarily abroad for work or lifestyle reasons.
Analysis
Structure: ex + pat
ex- (latin origin, prefix meaning "out of, from, former")
pat (shortened form of "patriot" or "patriate", from latin 'patria' meaning "native land, fatherland")
Examples
she has been an expat in singapore for over a decade.
the company decided to expat him to their london office for three years.
the city has a large community of expats from all over the world.