infuriate
UK[ɪnˈfjʊə.ri.eɪt]US[ɪnˈfjʊr.i.eɪt]
v
To make someone extremely angry and impatient.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
furi
ate
in
furi
ate
Etymology
The word infuriate is built upon the Latin noun furia, meaning "rage" or "fury," which itself is personified in the mythological Furies, avenging deities. The prefix in- is used here in an intensive sense, meaning "thoroughly," thus the literal construction means "to make thoroughly furious." The verb-forming suffix -ate was added to create the action of causing this intense state. Over time, the word evolved from its literal mythological roots to describe the act of provoking extreme, uncontrolled anger in anyone.
Analysis
Structure: in + furi + ate
- in (Latin): A prefix meaning "into, in, on, upon." Here, it intensifies the state.
- furi (Latin): From the root of Latin furia (rage, fury), relating to the goddesses of vengeance, the Furies.
- ate (Latin): A verb-forming suffix meaning "to make, cause to become."
Examples
His condescending remarks were enough to infuriate the entire team.
The constant delays began to infuriate the normally patient customers.
She knew that bringing up that topic would infuriate her brother.