intensification
Meaning
the action or process of making something stronger or more extreme.
the fact of becoming greater in strength or degree.
Structure
Usage
The intensification of the storm forced residents to evacuate.
There has been a noticeable intensification of diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
The report calls for an intensification of research into renewable energy sources.
Etymology
The word 'intensification' is built upon the Latin verb intendere, which meant "to stretch out, strain, or direct one's attention toward." The prefix in- served as an intensifier, adding the sense of "thoroughly" to the action of stretching (tendere). Over time, this literal idea of stretching something to its limit evolved metaphorically into the concept of increasing the degree, strength, or force of something. The modern abstract meaning, "the process of making something more intense," is formed by adding the noun-forming suffix -ification (meaning "the making of") to the adjective 'intense,' which itself derives from the past participle of intendere.
Analysis
- in-: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "in, into, toward," used here as an intensive prefix to add force. - tens: Latin origin, from the root of tendere (to stretch, strain). It functions as the core root conveying the sense of stretching or straining. - ification: Latin origin, a compound suffix from -ficare (a combining form of facere, to make) and -ation (action or process). It functions to form nouns meaning "the process of making."