infrequency
UK[ˌɪnˈfriːkwənsi]US[ˌɪnˈfriːkwənsi]
n
The condition of happening or occurring at long intervals or rarely; uncommonness.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
frequent
cy
in
not
frequent
occurring often
cy
state or quality
Etymology
The word 'infrequency' is built upon the Latin adjective frequens, meaning "crowded" or "repeated," which itself may derive from a root meaning "to stuff" or "to cram." The addition of the negative prefix in- creates the sense of "not crowded" or "not repeated often." Over time, this literal notion evolved into the abstract concept of rarity or uncommon occurrence, with the suffix -cy solidifying it as a noun denoting the state or quality of being infrequent.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + frequent (occurring often) + cy (state or quality)
- in: A Latin prefix meaning "not" or "without".
- frequent: From Latin frequent-, meaning "crowded, repeated, often".
- cy: A noun-forming suffix of Latin origin (-tia), indicating a state, condition, or quality.
Examples
The infrequency of his visits made them all the more special.
Due to the infrequency of such events, detailed records are scarce.
She was unaccustomed to the infrequency of public transport in the rural area.