inure
UK[ɪˈnjʊə(r)]US[ɪˈnʊr]
v
to cause someone to become accustomed to something, especially something unpleasant
v
(law) to take effect or come into operation
Morpheme Breakdown
in
ure
in
in, into, towards
ure
Etymology
the verb 'inure' entered english in the late 15th century from the anglo-norman phrase 'en ure', meaning 'in use' or 'in practice', which itself derived from old french. the phrase combined the preposition 'en' (in) with 'oeuvre' (work, from latin 'opera'). over time, the meaning shifted from the literal state of being 'in use' to the figurative process of bringing something into use or practice, specifically the process of habituating someone to a difficult condition. the modern sense reflects this logic of causing someone to be 'in a state of practice' regarding hardship, thereby becoming accustomed to it.
Analysis
Structure: in + ure
in- (latin prefix, meaning 'in, into, towards'); -ure (latin suffix, forming nouns of action or result, later used in verbs)
Examples
the harsh climate helped to inure the settlers to physical hardship.
soldiers become inured to the dangers of combat over time.
the clause will inure to the benefit of the company's successors.