public-sector
UK[ˈpʌblɪk ˌsektə]US[ˈpʌblɪk ˌsektər]
adj
Relating to the part of an economy that is controlled or funded by the national government.
n
The part of an economy that is controlled or funded by the national government.
Morpheme Breakdown
public
sector
public
open to all
sector
section
Etymology
The compound "public-sector" is a modern economic and political term. Its first element, "public," originates from the Latin publicus, which described anything pertaining to the people or the state as a whole, contrasting with private interests. The second element, "sector," derives from the Latin sector, meaning a cutter, which evolved to denote a distinct segment or division "cut out" from a larger whole, such as an economy. Combined, the term literally means "the division pertaining to the state," logically evolving to specify the portion of economic and service activity that is owned, managed, and financed by government authorities, distinct from private enterprise.
Analysis
Structure: public (open to all) + sector (section)
- public: From Latin publicus (of the people, belonging to the state), from populus (the people). Functions as an adjective modifying the noun.
- sector: From Latin sector (cutter, one who cuts), from secare (to cut). Functions as a noun meaning a distinct part or branch.
Examples
She has spent her entire career in public-sector administration.
Public-sector workers are negotiating for a pay increase.
Investment in public-sector infrastructure is crucial for economic growth.