more-affluent
UK[mɔːr ˈæflʊənt]US[mɔːr ˈæfluənt]
adj
Comparative form of 'affluent'; having more wealth or a higher standard of living.
Morpheme Breakdown
more
affluent
more
degree
affluent
wealthy
Etymology
The word 'more-affluent' is a modern compound comparative adjective. Its first element, 'more', is a native English word of Germanic origin, ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root mē- ('big'). The second element, 'affluent', entered English via French from Latin 'affluere', meaning 'to flow abundantly towards'. This Latin verb combines 'ad-' (towards) and 'fluere' (to flow), the latter from the prolific PIE root bhleu- ('to swell, flow'). The literal sense of 'flowing towards' evolved metaphorically in Late Latin to signify an abundance of material goods, hence 'wealthy'. The compound 'more-affluent' logically applies the native comparative 'more' to this Latinate adjective, creating a term that explicitly denotes a greater degree of wealth or abundance.
Analysis
Structure: more (degree) + affluent (wealthy)
more: From Old English 'māra', comparative of 'micel' (great, much). Functional role: comparative degree adverb/adjective.
affluent: From Latin 'affluent-', present participle stem of 'affluere' (to flow towards). Morpheme breakdown: 'ad-' (to, towards) + 'fluere' (to flow). Functional role: adjective meaning 'abundant, wealthy'.
Examples
The more-affluent neighborhoods often have better-funded public schools.
As the economy grew, a larger and more-affluent middle class emerged.
The tax policy was designed to place a higher burden on more-affluent citizens.