message
UK[ˈmɛsɪdʒ]US[ˈmɛsɪdʒ]
n
A spoken or written piece of information that you send to another person or leave for them.
n
The main idea or moral that a writer, speaker, or work of art is trying to communicate.
v
To send a message to someone, especially electronically.
Morpheme Breakdown
mess
age
mess
to send
age
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'message' originates from the Old French 'message', which itself derived from the Vulgar Latin missaticum, meaning "something sent". This Vulgar Latin term is built upon the classical Latin verb mittere, meaning "to send, let go, dispatch". The core semantic thread from the ancient root to the modern word is the concept of dispatch and transmission. The suffix -age was added to form a noun denoting the thing or result of the sending action. Over time, the meaning evolved from a physical object or person sent (like a messenger) to the abstract information content being communicated, whether spoken, written, or digital.
Analysis
Structure: mess (to send) + age (noun suffix)
mess (from Latin mittere, meaning "to send"), age (from Latin -aticum, a suffix forming nouns of action or result).
Examples
I left a message on your voicemail.
The film's message about environmental conservation was powerful.
She messaged me the details as soon as the meeting ended.