reassurance
UK[ˌriːəˈʃʊərəns]US[ˌriːəˈʃʊrəns]
n
the action of removing someone's doubts or fears.
n
a statement or comment that removes someone's doubts or fears.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
assure
ance
re
again
assure
make certain
ance
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'reassurance' is built upon the earlier verb 'assure', which entered english from old french 'aseürer', itself derived from latin 'ad securum' meaning 'to make secure'. the prefix 're-' was added in english, directly from latin, to indicate the action is done 'again'. the suffix '-ance', from latin '-antia', forms a noun denoting the action or result. thus, the literal construction 'to make secure again' evolved into the modern abstract meaning of an action or statement that restores confidence or alleviates anxiety.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + assure (make certain) + ance (noun suffix)
re- (latin origin, prefix meaning 'again'); assure (from latin 'ad-' + 'securus', meaning 'to make sure or certain'); -ance (latin origin, noun-forming suffix indicating an action or state).
Examples
she needed constant reassurance that she had made the right decision.
his calm voice was a great reassurance to the frightened child.
the doctor's reassurance did little to ease the patient's worries.