perdition
UK[pəˈdɪʃn]US[pərˈdɪʃn]
n
(in Christian theology) a state of eternal punishment and damnation into which a sinful and unrepentant person passes after death.
n
complete and utter ruin or destruction.
Morpheme Breakdown
per
dition
per
through, to destruction
dition
act of giving
Etymology
The word 'perdition' entered English in the 14th century via Anglo-French and Old French from Late Latin perditionem, meaning "ruin, destruction". This Latin noun derives from the past participle stem of perdere, "to destroy, lose". Perdere itself is a compound of the Latin prefix per-, implying thoroughness or completion (often to a negative end), and dare, "to give". The literal sense is thus "to give over completely" or "to lose utterly". In theological context, this evolved from the general concept of total loss to the specific, profound concept of the eternal loss of the soul—a state of final spiritual ruin and separation from God.
Analysis
Structure: per (through, to destruction) + dition (act of giving)
- per: Latin prefix meaning "through, thoroughly, to destruction".
- dition: From Latin dition- (stem of ditio), meaning "a giving over, surrender", from the verb dare meaning "to give".
Examples
The fire-and-brimstone preacher warned the congregation of the perdition awaiting sinners.
His reckless investments led his family's fortune to utter perdition.
In the classic tale, the character makes a pact to save his soul from perdition.