interreligious
UK[ˌɪn.tə.rɪˈlɪdʒ.əs]US[ˌɪn.t̬ɚ.rɪˈlɪdʒ.əs]
adj
Involving or relating to different religions.
Morpheme Breakdown
inter
religious
inter
between
religious
relating to religion
Etymology
The word is a modern English compound formed by combining the Latin-derived prefix 'inter-' with the established English adjective 'religious'. The prefix 'inter-' originates from the Latin preposition and adverb inter, meaning "between, among", which itself is traced to the Proto-Indo-European root h₁enter, also meaning "between". The adjective 'religious' entered English via Old French from the Latin religiosus, meaning "reverent, conscientious, pious", which derives from religio (obligation, bond, reverence). The compound 'interreligious' thus logically constructs its meaning of "between or among religions" by directly linking these two elements, reflecting a contemporary focus on dialogue and relations across distinct faith systems.
Analysis
Structure: inter (between) + religious (relating to religion)
- inter: A prefix of Latin origin, meaning "between, among".
- religious: An adjective of Latin origin (from religiosus), meaning "relating to religion, pious, devout".
Examples
The city is known for its long history of interreligious cooperation and harmony.
An interreligious council was formed to address community issues.
The conference promoted interreligious understanding through shared workshops.