sabotage
UK[ˈsæb.ə.tɑːʒ]US[ˈsæb.ə.tɑːʒ]
v
to deliberately damage or destroy equipment, weapons, or buildings in order to prevent the success of an enemy or competitor.
v
to deliberately spoil someone's plans or efforts.
n
the act of doing deliberate damage to equipment, transport, machines, etc. to prevent an enemy or competitor from succeeding.
Morpheme Breakdown
sabot
age
sabot
clog
age
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'sabotage' entered english from french in the early 20th century. its literal origin is the french word 'sabot', meaning a wooden shoe or clog. the term is famously linked to the notion of disgruntled workers throwing their wooden shoes ('sabots') into machinery to damage it, thereby disrupting industrial production. from this vivid imagery of deliberate physical obstruction, the meaning broadened to encompass any deliberate act of subversion, damage, or undermining, whether physical or metaphorical.
Analysis
Structure: sabot (clog) + age (noun suffix)
sabot is a french word of uncertain origin, likely from old french 'çabot', meaning a wooden shoe or clog. age is a french noun-forming suffix from latin '-aticum', indicating an action or result.
Examples
enemy agents were hired to sabotage the factory.
she was accused of trying to sabotage the peace talks.
the fire was an act of sabotage.