inaugurate
UK[ɪˈnɔːɡjəreɪt]US[ɪˈnɔːɡjəreɪt]
v
to introduce a new public official or leader at a special ceremony
v
to mark the beginning of something new or important, especially with a ceremony
v
to open or begin use of a building, service, etc., formally for the first time
Morpheme Breakdown
in
augur
ate
in
augur
ate
Etymology
the word 'inaugurate' originates from the latin verb 'inaugurare', which was a term specific to ancient roman religious and state practice. it literally meant 'to take omens from the flight of birds', combining 'in-' (in, on) with 'augurare' (to act as an augur, to predict). an augur was a priest who interpreted the will of the gods by observing natural signs, especially bird flight, and such divination was a mandatory ritual before any important public undertaking, like installing a new official. thus, the core logic evolved from the literal act of 'consecrating or installing after taking the auspices' to the modern abstract sense of 'beginning or introducing something formally with ceremony', carrying the connotation of a significant, propitious start.
Analysis
Structure: in + augur + ate
in- (latin, prefix): in, on, into.
augur (latin, root): a religious official in ancient rome who interpreted omens to guide public actions; to predict or foreshadow.
-ate (latin, suffix): verb-forming suffix meaning to act upon, cause to become.
Examples
the new president will be inaugurated in january.
the exhibition inaugurates a new era of cultural exchange between the two countries.
they inaugurated the new community center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.