perpetrate
UK[ˈpɜːpətreɪt]US[ˈpɜːrpətreɪt]
v
to commit a harmful, illegal, or immoral act.
v
to carry out or be responsible for something, especially something foolish or reprehensible.
Morpheme Breakdown
per
petr
ate
per
through, thoroughly
petr
stone, rock
ate
verb suffix
Etymology
the word 'perpetrate' originates from the latin verb 'perpetrare', meaning 'to accomplish, to perform'. this verb is a compound of the prefix 'per-' (meaning 'through to completion, thoroughly') and the root 'patrare' (meaning 'to bring about, to accomplish'), which itself is derived from 'pater' (father), implying a sense of authorship or origin. the semantic shift from 'accomplish' to 'commit (a crime)' occurred in late latin and was firmly established by the time the word entered english in the mid-16th century. the modern sense carries the logic of thoroughly carrying out or being the author of a negative deed, moving from a neutral act of completion to one with strong criminal or immoral connotations.
Analysis
Structure: per (through, thoroughly) + petr (stone, rock) + ate (verb suffix)
per- (latin prefix, meaning 'through, thoroughly'); petr- (latin root from 'petra', meaning 'stone, rock'); -ate (latin verb-forming suffix).
Examples
the group was accused of planning to perpetrate a series of cyber-attacks.
he could not believe he had perpetrated such a foolish mistake.
the identity of those who perpetrated the fraud remains unknown.