intimate
UK[ˈɪntɪmət]US[ˈɪntɪmət]
adj
Having a very close personal relationship.
adj
Private and personal.
adj
Involving very close connection or detailed knowledge.
v
To make something known indirectly; to hint or imply.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
tim
ate
in
not
tim
fear
ate
adjective/verb suffix
Etymology
The word 'intimate' originates from the Latin superlative adjective intimus, meaning "inmost, deepest," which itself derives from the adverb intus, meaning "within." The core logic is of something pushed to the very interior. The Latin intimus was formed from the intensive prefix in- combined with the root related to interiority. This sense of profound inwardness evolved in English to describe the closest personal relationships and private knowledge. The verb meaning "to hint," which emerged in the 16th century, carries the logic of communicating something from one's innermost thoughts in an indirect, subtle manner.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + tim (fear) + ate (adjective/verb suffix)
- 'in': A Latin prefix meaning "in, into, on" or, in this context, serving as an intensive prefix meaning "very, thoroughly."
- 'tim': From the Latin root timēre, meaning "to fear."
- 'ate': A Latin-derived suffix used to form adjectives meaning "characterized by" or verbs meaning "to act upon."
Examples
They have been intimate friends since childhood.
She shared the intimate details of her life with her diary.
The report intimated that major changes were imminent.