inhalation
UK[ˌɪnhəˈleɪʃn]US[ˌɪnhəˈleɪʃn]
n
the action of breathing in; the act of taking air, smoke, or other substances into your lungs.
n
a single act of breathing in; an amount of air or another substance that is breathed in.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
hal
ation
in
in
hal
breathe
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
the word inhalation is built from the latin verb inhalare, meaning "to breathe upon" or "to breathe into". it is composed of the prefix in- (into) and the verb halare (to breathe). the root halare is related to the concept of exhalation and vapor, sharing a distant proto-indo-european connection with words for breath and warmth. over time, the specialized medical and scientific term evolved to specifically denote the act of drawing air or other substances into the lungs, with the suffix -ation solidifying its status as a noun describing the process or instance of that action.
Analysis
Structure: in (in) + hal (breathe) + ation (noun suffix)
in: latin origin, meaning "in, into". a prefix indicating direction inward.
hal: from latin halare, meaning "to breathe". a bound root.
ation: latin suffix -ationem, forming nouns of action or state.
Examples
the doctor instructed him on the proper technique for the inhalation of the medication.
deep inhalation of fresh mountain air can be very invigorating.
the inhalation of toxic fumes required immediate medical attention.