interment
UK[ɪnˈtɜːmənt]US[ɪnˈtɜːrmənt]
n
The act of burying a dead body; burial.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
ter
ment
in
in
ter
earth
ment
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'interment' originates from the Latin verb interrare, meaning "to put into the earth," which is itself composed of in- ("in") and terra ("earth"). The suffix -mentum was added to form a noun of action. The term entered Middle English via Old French enterrement, preserving the core concept of placing a body within the ground. Thus, the modern abstract meaning of "burial" remains a direct and logical reflection of its literal Latin components: the act of putting (someone) into the earth.
Analysis
Structure: in (in) + ter (earth) + ment (noun suffix)
- in: Latin origin, meaning "in, into". A prefix indicating location or direction.
- ter: From Latin terra, meaning "earth, land". This root appears in the verb 'inter', meaning "to bury".
- ment: Latin suffix -mentum, forming nouns that denote an action or resulting state.
Examples
The interment will take place at the local cemetery at noon.
Ancient laws sometimes dictated a swift interment.
The family held a private service before the interment.