hyperinflation
UK[ˌhaɪpərɪnˈfleɪʃən]US[ˌhaɪpərɪnˈfleɪʃən]
n
a very high and typically accelerating rate of inflation, causing money to lose its value rapidly.
Morpheme Breakdown
hyper
inflation
hyper
over, beyond
inflation
rising prices
Etymology
the term is a modern compound, directly constructed from established english morphemes of classical origin. the prefix 'hyper-', from greek, intensifies the base word 'inflation', which originates from the latin verb 'inflare', meaning 'to blow into or swell'. literally, 'hyperinflation' means 'extreme swelling', a metaphor where the economy's money supply is blown up far beyond normal levels. this vivid imagery logically evolved from the physical act of blowing to describe the abstract economic phenomenon of prices ballooning out of control.
Analysis
Structure: hyper (over, beyond) + inflation (rising prices)
- hyper: from greek 'hyper', meaning 'over, beyond, above'. functions as an intensifying prefix.
- inflation: from latin 'inflatio', from 'inflare' (to blow into, puff up). functions as the base noun meaning a general increase in prices.
Examples
the country's economy collapsed during a period of hyperinflation, when prices could double in a matter of hours.
economists fear that excessive money printing could trigger a spiral of hyperinflation.
during the hyperinflation, people needed wheelbarrows full of cash to buy a loaf of bread.