infidelity
UK[ˌɪnfɪˈdɛlɪti]US[ˌɪnfɪˈdɛlɪti]
n
The act or fact of having a sexual or romantic relationship with someone other than one's husband, wife, or partner.
n
A lack of faithfulness or loyalty, especially to a belief or principle.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
fidel
ity
in
not
fidel
faithful
ity
state/quality
Etymology
The word 'infidelity' is built directly from Latin components. Its core is the root fidel-, relating to faith and trust, which itself traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root bʰeydʰ-, meaning "to trust, confide, persuade". The Latin prefix in- negates this core, creating the sense of "not faithful". The suffix -ity then nominalizes the concept, forming a word for the state or quality of being unfaithful. Originally used in a religious context to denote a lack of faith in God or doctrine, its meaning broadened in English to primarily describe a breach of trust in marital or romantic relationships, while retaining its broader sense of disloyalty.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + fidel (faithful) + ity (state/quality)
- in: A Latin prefix meaning "not" or "without".
- fidel: From Latin fidelis, meaning "faithful".
- ity: A Latin-derived suffix forming nouns denoting a state or condition.
Examples
The scandal centered on allegations of the politician's infidelity.
She could not forgive his infidelity and filed for divorce.
The general was accused of infidelity to the nation's cause.