notion
UK[ˈnəʊʃn]US[ˈnoʊʃn]
n
An idea, belief, or understanding about something.
n
A vague or general concept or impression.
Morpheme Breakdown
not
ion
not
mark
ion
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'notion' originates from the Latin verb noscere, meaning 'to get to know' or 'to recognize'. This verb is built on the root gno-, a Proto-Indo-European root signifying 'to know', which also gave rise to words like 'know' and 'notice'. The Latin noun notio specifically referred to the act of becoming acquainted with something or a concept formed in the mind. Over time, the English word 'notion' evolved from this concrete sense of a mental 'mark' of recognition to its current, more abstract meanings of a general idea, belief, or sometimes a vague impression.
Analysis
Structure: not (mark) + ion (noun suffix)
- not: From Latin notion-, stem of notio 'a becoming acquainted, a concept', from noscere 'to get to know'. The root not- means 'to mark' or 'to know by a mark'.
- ion: A suffix of Latin origin forming nouns of action or state.
Examples
I have only a vague notion of how the system works.
The very notion of fairness is central to her argument.
He dismissed the plan as an impractical notion.