hospitalize
UK[ˈhɒspɪtəlaɪz]US[ˈhɑːspɪtəlaɪz]
v
to take someone to a hospital and keep them there for treatment.
Morpheme Breakdown
hospital
ize
hospital
place for treatment
ize
verb-forming suffix
Etymology
the word 'hospitalize' is a modern formation, built upon the much older noun 'hospital'. the noun 'hospital' itself originates from the latin 'hospitale', a derivative of 'hospes' meaning 'host' or 'guest', reflecting its early function as a place of shelter for travelers and the needy. the suffix '-ize', borrowed from greek '-izein' via latin and french, is a prolific verb-forming element in english meaning 'to make or become'. therefore, the literal construction 'hospital-ize' logically means 'to make (someone) enter a hospital' or 'to subject to hospital care', a meaning that emerged with the modern professionalization of medical treatment in institutional settings.
Analysis
Structure: hospital (place for treatment) + ize (verb-forming suffix)
- hospital: from latin 'hospitale' meaning 'guest-house, inn', via old french. in this word, it functions as the base noun denoting the institution.
- ize: a suffix of greek origin (via latin -izare) used to form verbs meaning 'to make, to render, to subject to a process'.
Examples
the accident was severe enough to hospitalize three people.
doctors may choose to hospitalize a patient if their symptoms worsen.
she was hospitalized for two weeks following the surgery.