outlet
UK[ˈaʊtlɛt]US[ˈaʊtlɛt]
n
a pipe or hole through which water or gas may escape
n
a point in a wall where you can connect electrical equipment to the power supply
n
a way of expressing or getting rid of strong feelings
n
a shop or place where a particular product is sold
Morpheme Breakdown
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Etymology
The word "outlet" is a transparent compound formed from two native English elements. The first element, "out," derives from the Old English "ūt," meaning "out, outside, outward." The second element, "let," comes from the Old English "lǣtan," meaning "to allow, to permit." Literally, the compound meant "a letting out," describing a place or means for something to be allowed to exit. This core concept of an exit point evolved from its original physical applications, such as a pipe for water to escape, to encompass abstract channels for releasing energy or emotion, and commercial points for distributing goods.
Analysis
Structure: out + let
- out (Old English): A word-forming element meaning "outward, external, away, forth."
- let (Old English): A verb meaning "to allow, to permit."
Examples
The lake's only outlet is a narrow stream.
I need to plug the lamp into an electrical outlet.
Writing poetry became a creative outlet for her grief.