intimidate
UK[ɪnˈtɪmɪdeɪt]US[ɪnˈtɪmɪdeɪt]
v
To frighten or threaten someone, usually in order to persuade them to do something against their will.
v
To make someone feel nervous or frightened, especially so they lose confidence.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
timid
ate
in
in, into, on, upon.
timid
fearful, afraid.
ate
to make, cause to become, or act upon.
Etymology
The word "intimidate" has a transparent and logical construction directly from Latin. It originates from the Medieval Latin verb intimidare, which was formed by combining the intensive prefix in- with the adjective timidus (fearful) and the verbal suffix -are. The literal sense is "to make (someone) fearful." The core root timidus itself descends from the Latin verb timere, meaning "to fear." This etymological journey clearly maps the modern abstract meaning of using threats to instill fear onto the ancient components: to cause (-ate) a state of fear (timid) thoroughly (in-).
Analysis
Structure: in + timid + ate
- in: A Latin prefix meaning "in, into, on, upon." Here, it functions as an intensive prefix, adding force to the root.
- timid: From Latin timidus, meaning "fearful, afraid." It functions as the core root conveying the sense of fear.
- ate: A Latin-derived suffix used to form verbs, meaning "to make, cause to become, or act upon."
Examples
The aggressive lawyer tried to intimidate the witness during the cross-examination.
She refused to be intimidated by the large audience and delivered her speech confidently.
The company was accused of using unfair tactics to intimidate smaller competitors out of the market.