implicate
UK[ˈɪmplɪkeɪt]US[ˈɪmplɪˌkeɪt]
v
To show or suggest that someone is involved in something wrong or criminal.
v
To have as a consequence or necessary part; to entail.
Morpheme Breakdown
im
plic
ate
im
in
plic
fold
ate
verb suffix
Etymology
The word "implicate" originates from the Latin verb implicare, which is a combination of the prefix in- (meaning "in") and the verb plicare (meaning "to fold"). The literal sense was "to fold something into something else" or "to entwine." This concrete action evolved metaphorically in Latin to signify "to involve" or "to entangle," particularly in a complicated situation. In English, the term retained this abstract meaning, first describing involvement in a complex affair and later specializing to mean involvement in a wrongdoing or crime, while also developing the logical sense of one thing being folded into or entailed by another.
Analysis
Structure: im (in) + plic (fold) + ate (verb suffix)
- im: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "in, into, on".
- plic: Latin origin, from the root of plicare, meaning "to fold".
- ate: Latin origin, a suffix used to form verbs meaning "to act upon, cause to become".
Examples
The evidence seemed to implicate several high-ranking officials in the scandal.
The new policy may implicate significant changes to our daily workflow.
He refused to answer questions that might implicate his former business partner.