office
UK[ˈɒfɪs]US[ˈɔːfɪs]
n
A room, set of rooms, or building where people work, usually at desks, doing administrative or professional work.
n
A position of authority, trust, or service, especially in a government or organization.
n
A service or kindness done for someone; a duty or function.
Morpheme Breakdown
of
fic
e
of
toward, against, in the way of
fic
to make, to do
e
Etymology
The word "office" has a rich history tracing back to the Latin officium, a compound of op- ("toward, in the way of") and facere ("to do, to make"). Literally, it meant "a doing toward," implying a service, duty, or function performed. This sense of duty was central in Roman times, referring to moral and social obligations. As the term passed through Old French (ofice), its meaning specialized, first denoting a religious service or ceremony, and later, by the late Middle English period, shifting to the place or position where such duties—particularly administrative or professional work—are carried out, giving us the modern dual meanings of both a function and a workplace.
Analysis
Structure: of + fic + e
- of: From Latin op- (a variant of ob-), meaning "toward, against, in the way of". It functions as a prefix indicating direction or opposition.
- fic: From Latin -fic- (stem of facere), meaning "to make, to do". It functions as a root conveying action or performance.
- e: A common Latin noun suffix (often -ium), here forming a noun. It functions as a nominalizing suffix.
Examples
She left her briefcase at the office.
He was elected to the office of mayor last year.
I am grateful for the many good offices you performed on my behalf.