fanatic
UK[fəˈnætɪk]US[fəˈnætɪk]
n
A person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal, especially for an extreme religious or political cause.
adj
Filled with or expressing excessive zeal.
Morpheme Breakdown
fan
atic
fan
temple
atic
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'fanatic' has a vivid origin story rooted in religious fervor. It derives from the Latin adjective 'fanaticus', meaning 'of a temple, inspired by a god, frenzied', which itself comes from 'fanum' (temple). In ancient Rome, a 'fanaticus' was someone possessed by a divine madness, often a temple devotee exhibiting wild, ecstatic behavior. Over time, the sense of irrational, excessive enthusiasm detached from its specifically religious context, broadening to describe anyone with an extreme, uncritical zeal for any cause or pursuit.
Analysis
Structure: fan (temple) + atic (adjective suffix)
'fan' originates from Latin 'fanum', meaning 'temple, shrine'. The suffix '-atic' is an adjectival suffix derived from Latin '-aticus', indicating a relationship or pertaining to.
Examples
He was a fanatic about cleanliness, washing his hands dozens of times a day.
Her fanatic devotion to the cause blinded her to its ethical flaws.
The regime was supported by a small group of political fanatics.