reinforcement
UK[ˌriːɪnˈfɔːsmənt]US[ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrsmənt]
n
The act of making something stronger, especially a feeling, idea, or military force.
n
Additional people or equipment sent to make a group stronger.
n
(In psychology) A consequence that increases the likelihood of a specific behavioral response.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
in
force
ment
re
again
in
in
force
strength
ment
noun suffix
Etymology
The word "reinforcement" is built upon the core Latin concept of strength, fortis. The journey begins with the Late Latin verb reforciare, meaning "to strengthen again", which combined the prefix re- (again) with the root fortiare (to strengthen). This passed into Old French as reforcier. The English verb "reinforce" was formed by re-borrowing the French structure, using the native English word "force" (itself from Latin fortis) as the recognizable root, prefixed with "re-" and "in-" to intensify the meaning of putting strength back into something. The noun "reinforcement" then adds the suffix "-ment", standardizing the term for the act, process, or means of strengthening again, applicable from military aid to behavioral psychology.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + in (in) + force (strength) + ment (noun suffix)
- re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
- in: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "in" or "into".
- force: From Old French force, from Late Latin fortia, from Latin fortis meaning "strong". It functions as the core root.
- ment: From Latin -mentum, a suffix forming nouns that denote an action, process, or resulting state.
Examples
The bridge required steel reinforcement to support the increased load.
The general called for reinforcements to defend the city.
Positive reinforcement, like praise, encourages good behavior in children.