repertory
UK[ˈrep.ə.tər.i]US[ˈrep.ɚ.tɔːr.i]
n
a stock of plays, dances, or pieces that a company or performer knows or is prepared to perform.
n
a stock or collection of information, techniques, or items available for use.
Morpheme Breakdown
repert
ory
repert
to find, to store
ory
place for, pertaining to
Etymology
the word 'repertory' originates from the latin verb 'reperire', meaning 'to find' or 'to discover'. its past participle 'repertus' gave rise to the late latin noun 'repertorium', signifying an inventory or a storehouse where found items are listed. entering english via french in the 16th century, it initially referred to an index or catalog. the theatrical sense, referring to a company's stored collection of performances ready to be presented, developed by the early 19th century, logically extending the core idea of a repository of discovered and assembled works.
Analysis
Structure: repert (to find, to store) + ory (place for, pertaining to)
repert (from latin 'repertus', past participle of 'reperire', meaning 'to find, to discover'); ory (a suffix from latin '-orius', forming adjectives and nouns denoting a place or function).
Examples
the actor spent years with a touring repertory company.
she has a vast repertory of culinary skills.
the musician's repertory spans from baroque to contemporary pieces.