inflation
UK[ɪnˈfleɪʃn]US[ɪnˈfleɪʃʃn]
n
a general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money.
n
the action of inflating something or the condition of being inflated.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
flat
ion
in
in, into
flat
blow
ion
action or process
Etymology
the word inflation originates from the latin verb inflare, meaning "to blow into or inflate," which is a compound of the prefix in- ("into") and the verb flare ("to blow"). this literal sense of causing something to swell by filling it with air was carried directly into middle english via old french. over time, the term evolved metaphorically; by the mid-19th century, it was applied to economic contexts to describe an expansion of the currency supply, leading to a general rise in prices, mirroring the concept of something being unnaturally swollen or expanded beyond its true value.
Analysis
Structure: in (in, into) + flat (blow) + ion (action or process)
in- (latin prefix, meaning "in, into, on"), flat (from latin root flare, "to blow"), -ion (latin suffix, forming nouns denoting action or condition).
Examples
the government is taking measures to control inflation.
the inflation of the balloon was quick with the helium tank.
economists are concerned about the rising inflation rate.