sufficiently
Meaning
to an adequate degree; enough.
Structure
Usage
the room was sufficiently large for all the guests.
he had not practiced sufficiently before the performance.
the evidence was sufficiently compelling to convince the jury.
Etymology
the word 'sufficiently' is built upon the latin verb sufficere, which literally meant 'to put under, to supply, or to be adequate'. this verb combined sub- (up to, under) and facere (to make or do), conveying the idea of doing something up to a required point. the latin present participle stem sufficient- gave rise to the english adjective 'sufficient', meaning 'adequate'. the addition of the adverbial suffix '-ly', of old english origin, transformed it into 'sufficiently', specifying the manner of being adequate. thus, the modern adverb retains the core logic of its ancient roots: doing or being enough to meet a need.
Analysis
- suffici: from latin sufficere, meaning 'to supply, be adequate', itself from sub- 'under, up to' + facere 'to make, do'. - ent: a latin-derived suffix forming adjectives, meaning 'being in a state or condition'. - ly: an english suffix forming adverbs from adjectives, denoting manner or degree.