indulgent
UK[ɪnˈdʌldʒənt]US[ɪnˈdʌldʒənt]
adj
Allowing someone to have or do what they want, especially when this is not good for them
adj
Kind and allowing someone to have or do what they want
Morpheme Breakdown
in
dulge
ent
in
in, into, towards, on
dulge
to be kind to, to yield to, to grant
ent
doing or being the action of the verb
Etymology
The word "indulgent" originates from the Latin verb indulgēre, meaning "to be kind or tender towards, to yield to, to grant as a favor." This Latin verb is composed of the prefix in- (here with an intensive or directional force, "towards") and a root of uncertain, possibly Etruscan, origin. The core semantic thread from its ancient root is one of kindness and leniency, specifically the act of granting favor or allowing something. Over time, the present participle form indulgens evolved into the English adjective "indulgent," which retains the core idea of being leniently kind or yielding to desires, though it often carries a modern connotation of excessive permissiveness.
Analysis
Structure: in + dulge + ent
- in: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "in, into, towards, on".
- dulge: A bound root derived from Latin indulgēre, meaning "to be kind to, to yield to, to grant".
- ent: Latin suffix -ent- (present participle ending of verbs), used in English to form adjectives meaning "doing or being the action of the verb".
Examples
His indulgent parents bought him every toy he asked for.
She gave an indulgent smile as the child explained his fantastical story.
The critic was not indulgent towards the film's obvious flaws.