scandal
UK[ˈskændl]US[ˈskændl]
n
An action or event regarded as morally or legally wrong and causing general public outrage.
n
Rumor or malicious gossip about people's shocking or immoral behavior.
Morpheme Breakdown
scan
dal
scan
stumbling block, cause of offense
dal
Etymology
The word 'scandal' entered English via Old French 'scandale', which itself descended from the Ecclesiastical Latin 'scandalum'. This Latin term was a direct borrowing from the Greek 'skandalon', originally meaning a 'trap' or 'snare' and later evolving to signify a 'stumbling block' or 'cause of moral offense'. The Greek root is thought to be related to a verb meaning 'to limp' or 'to stumble', creating a vivid metaphor where shocking behavior acts as a trap or obstacle to virtue. Over centuries, the meaning shifted from the literal trap or obstacle itself to the disgraceful actions and the resulting public outrage they provoke.
Analysis
Structure: scan + dal
'scan' originates from Latin 'scandalum', meaning 'stumbling block, cause of offense'. 'dal' is a suffix derived from Latin '-al', forming nouns of action or result.
Examples
The financial scandal led to the resignation of several company directors.
She was at the center of a scandal involving leaked confidential documents.
The tabloid newspapers are full of gossip and scandal about celebrities.