invigorating
Meaning
Making one feel strong, healthy, and full of energy.
Structure
Usage
The invigorating mountain air filled her lungs as she began the hike.
He found a cold shower to be an invigorating start to the day.
The company's new strategy provided an invigorating sense of purpose for the team.
Etymology
The word 'invigorating' is built upon the Latin noun 'vigor', meaning "liveliness, activity, force", which itself derives from the verb 'vigere', "to be lively, to thrive". The Latin prefix 'in-' was added to form the verb 'invigorare', meaning "to give vigor to, to strengthen". This verb entered English as 'invigorate' in the 17th century. The present participle form 'invigorating' functions as an adjective, literally describing something that is "putting vigor into" a person, thus logically explaining its modern sense of making one feel energized and refreshed.
Analysis
- in: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "in, into, on". - vigor: Latin origin, from 'vigor' meaning "active strength, energy". - ating: English suffix, a combination of the verbal suffix '-ate' and the participial/adjectival suffix '-ing', forming a present participle used as an adjective.