infernal
UK[ɪnˈfɜːnl]US[ɪnˈfɜːrnl]
adj
relating to or characteristic of hell or the underworld.
adj
extremely unpleasant or annoying.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
fern
al
in
in, into, within
fern
of the lower regions, hellish
al
of or pertaining to
Etymology
the word 'infernal' descends from the latin adjective 'infernus', meaning 'lower, underground, of the underworld'. this itself is derived from the latin adverb 'inferus', meaning 'below, underneath'. the term was adopted into old french as 'enfernal', and subsequently into middle english, where it was initially used in theological contexts to describe hell or its inhabitants. over time, its meaning extended metaphorically to describe anything so extremely unpleasant or diabolical as to be reminiscent of hell, solidifying its modern dual usage.
Analysis
Structure: in + fern + al
in- (latin, prefix meaning 'in, into, within'), fern- (latin, root from 'infernus' meaning 'of the lower regions, hellish'), -al (latin, suffix forming adjectives meaning 'of or pertaining to').
Examples
the hero descended into the infernal regions to rescue his beloved.
we've been having infernal trouble with the new computer system all week.
the play was filled with infernal machinations and schemes for revenge.