resilience
UK[rɪˈzɪl.i.əns]US[rɪˈzɪl.jəns]
n
the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.
n
the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
sal
ience
re
again
sal
leap
ience
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'resilience' originates from the latin verb 'resilire', meaning 'to leap back' or 'recoil'. this verb is composed of the prefix 're-' (back, again) and 'salire' (to leap, jump). the core concept of leaping or springing back was originally applied to physical materials, describing their elastic property. over time, the term was abstracted to describe psychological and social systems, retaining the fundamental idea of returning to an original form or state after being subjected to pressure or disturbance.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + sal (leap) + ience (noun suffix)
re- (latin, prefix meaning 'again' or 'back'), -sal- (from latin verb 'salire', meaning 'to leap'), -ience (latin, noun-forming suffix indicating a state or quality).
Examples
the resilience of the rubber ball allowed it to bounce back to its original shape.
her personal resilience helped her overcome the significant challenges she faced.
the resilience of the coastal ecosystem is being tested by climate change.