reverberate
Meaning
(of a sound) to be repeated several times as it is reflected off different surfaces; to echo.
(of an event, action, or idea) to have continuing serious effects or a wide impact.
Structure
Usage
the sound of the thunder reverberated through the valley.
the decision is likely to reverberate through the entire industry for years to come.
her passionate speech reverberated in the silent hall long after she had finished.
Etymology
the word "reverberate" originates from the latin verb reverberare, meaning "to beat back, to repel". this is a compound of the prefix re- ("back") and verberare ("to beat, to strike"). the core image is of sound being beaten or driven back from a surface, much like a whip lashing and recoiling. over time, this literal sense of a sound echoing expanded metaphorically to describe any action, event, or idea that produces a series of continuing effects or a powerful, widespread impact, mirroring the way sound waves rebound and persist.
Analysis
re: latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back". verber: from latin verberare meaning "to beat, to lash", derived from verber (a lash, a whip). ate: latin suffix -atus, used to form verbs meaning "to act in a specified manner".