induce
UK[ɪnˈdjuːs]US[ɪnˈduːs]
v
to cause something to happen or exist
v
to persuade or influence someone to do something
v
to cause a woman to start giving birth to her baby by using drugs or other medical means
Morpheme Breakdown
in
duce
in
in, into
duce
lead
Etymology
the word "induce" originates from the latin verb inducere, a compound of the prefix in- ("into, upon") and the verb ducere ("to lead"). the literal sense of "to lead into" or "to bring in" was used both physically and figuratively in latin. entering english via old french in the late 14th century, it retained the core concept of causing something to happen by "leading" a person into a state or action, or "leading" a physical process to begin. this semantic thread connects the ancient idea of guiding or conducting to the modern abstract meanings of causing, persuading, or initiating a process.
Analysis
Structure: in (in, into) + duce (lead)
in- (latin origin, a prefix meaning "in, into, on, upon"); duce (from latin verb ducere, meaning "to lead")
Examples
the doctor warned that the medication could induce drowsiness.
nothing would induce me to vote for him again.
she was given drugs to induce labor.