lucre
UK[ˈluːkə]US[ˈluːkər]
n
Money, especially when regarded as sordid or distasteful or gained in a dishonorable way.
Morpheme Breakdown
luc
re
luc
gain
re
suffix
Etymology
The word 'lucre' has a direct and straightforward lineage from the Latin noun 'lucrum', which simply meant material gain, profit, or advantage. It entered Middle English via Anglo-French, retaining its core meaning of monetary profit. However, its modern usage has been powerfully colored by its frequent appearance in religious and moral contexts, most notably in the Biblical phrase "filthy lucre." This association imbued the neutral Latin term for gain with a strong connotation of greed and dishonorable pursuit of wealth, transforming it into a word that implies money is tainted or ill-gotten.
Analysis
Structure: luc (gain) + re (suffix)
'luc' is from Latin 'lucrum', meaning 'gain, profit, advantage'. The '-re' is a suffix used in forming English nouns from Latin or French sources.
Examples
He was accused of pursuing public office not for service, but for pure lucre.
The sermon warned against the corrupting influence of filthy lucre.
They were motivated by lucre rather than any artistic ambition.