perpetuate
UK[pəˈpetʃueɪt]US[pərˈpetʃueɪt]
v
to cause something to continue for a long time
v
to make something such as a situation or process continue, especially one that is wrong, unfair, or dangerous
Morpheme Breakdown
per
petu
ate
per
through, thoroughly
petu
seek, aim
ate
verb suffix
Etymology
the word 'perpetuate' originates from the latin verb 'perpetuare', meaning "to make perpetual". this, in turn, is derived from 'perpetuus', meaning "continuous, unbroken," which is formed from the prefix 'per-' ("through") and the root 'petere' ("to seek, aim, fly toward"). the conceptual logic connects the idea of "thoroughly aiming" or "continuing through" with the establishment of an unbroken state. over time, this literal sense of making something unending evolved into the modern abstract meaning of causing a condition, practice, or even an error to persist indefinitely.
Analysis
Structure: per (through, thoroughly) + petu (seek, aim) + ate (verb suffix)
per: from latin, meaning "through, thoroughly". serves as an intensive prefix.
petu: from latin 'petere', meaning "to seek, aim at, go towards". serves as the core root.
ate: from latin '-atus', a suffix forming verbs meaning "to act in a specified manner".
Examples
the monument was built to perpetuate the memory of the fallen soldiers.
repeating stereotypes only serves to perpetuate harmful myths.
the family business has been perpetuated through five generations.