satisfactory
Meaning
good enough for a particular purpose; acceptable.
fulfilling expectations or needs.
Structure
Usage
the student's progress this term has been satisfactory.
we hope to find a satisfactory solution to the problem.
the quality of the work was deemed satisfactory by the inspector.
Etymology
the word 'satisfactory' has a clear logical construction from its latin components. it originates from the latin verb 'satis facere', meaning 'to do enough, to make sufficient'. the past participle stem 'fact-' (from 'facere', to make) combined with 'satis' formed the late latin term 'satisfactorius'. this entered middle english via old french. the literal sense of 'making enough' evolved into the modern abstract meaning of being adequate or fulfilling requirements, perfectly capturing the idea that something has been done sufficiently to meet a standard or expectation.
Analysis
- satis: from latin 'satis', meaning 'enough, sufficient'. - fact: from latin 'facere', meaning 'to make, to do'. - ory: a latin-derived suffix forming adjectives meaning 'pertaining to, serving for'.