ponderous
UK[ˈpɒn.dər.əs]US[ˈpɑːn.dɚ.əs]
adj
slow and clumsy because of great weight
adj
dull and laborious
Morpheme Breakdown
ponder
ous
ponder
weight
ous
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word 'ponderous' originates from the latin root 'pondus', meaning 'weight'. this root is also the source of the verb 'to ponder', which originally meant to weigh something in the mind. the suffix '-ous', derived from latin '-osus', denotes 'full of' or 'characterized by'. therefore, the literal construction 'full of weight' evolved into the modern meanings describing something physically heavy and slow-moving, or metaphorically, something mentally laborious and dull.
Analysis
Structure: ponder (weight) + ous (adjective suffix)
ponder (from latin 'pondus', meaning 'weight'); ous (english suffix forming adjectives, from latin '-osus', meaning 'full of')
Examples
the elephant moved with a ponderous grace.
the report was written in a ponderous style, making it difficult to read.
he rose from his chair with a ponderous sigh.