impact
UK[ˈɪmpækt]US[ˈɪmpækt]
n
The powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation or person.
n
The action of one object hitting another with force.
v
To have a strong effect on someone or something.
v
To hit something with great force.
Morpheme Breakdown
im
pact
im
in
pact
fasten, drive
Etymology
The word 'impact' entered English in the early 17th century, derived from the Latin verb 'impactus', the past participle of 'impingere', meaning 'to drive or push into'. This Latin verb is itself a compound of the prefix 'in-' ('into') and 'pangere' ('to fasten, fix'). The original literal sense was of a forceful physical collision, where one object is driven into another. Over time, the meaning broadened metaphorically to describe any powerful effect or influence, where an idea or event is figuratively 'driven into' a situation or person's consciousness, creating a significant change.
Analysis
Structure: im (in) + pact (fasten, drive)
im: Latin origin, a form of the prefix 'in-' meaning 'in, into, on'.
pact: Latin origin, from the past participle stem 'pact-' of the verb 'pangere', meaning 'to fasten, drive in, fix'.
Examples
The new regulations will have a major impact on small businesses.
The car was completely crushed on impact with the truck.
How will these budget cuts impact our department?