simplify
UK/ˈsɪm.plɪ.faɪ/US/ˈsɪm.plə.faɪ/
v
to make something less complicated and therefore easier to do or understand
v
to reduce something to a more basic or fundamental form
Morpheme Breakdown
simpl
ify
simpl
simple
ify
to make
Etymology
the word 'simplify' is a relatively modern english formation, entering the language in the mid-17th century. it is built upon the latin root 'simplus', meaning 'simple' or 'single', which itself may derive from the notion of being 'once-folded' or 'uncompounded'. the suffix '-ify', from latin '-ificare', is a productive verb-forming element meaning 'to make'. thus, the literal construction 'to make simple' directly and logically conveys the modern abstract meaning of reducing complexity or making something easier to understand.
Analysis
Structure: simpl (simple) + ify (to make)
'simpl' originates from Latin 'simplus' (simple, single). 'ify' is a verb-forming suffix from Latin '-ificare', meaning 'to make' or 'to cause to become'.
Examples
the software update aims to simplify the user interface for new customers.
can you simplify these instructions so that a child could follow them?
the mathematician worked to simplify the complex equation.