Mehrdad
commiserate and commemorate....Are they derived from the same root?(both are Latin)
Dec 19, 2019 10:59 PM
Answers · 4
2
The prefix and suffix are the same, but the roots are different. The prefix is “cum”, meaning “together”, “with” sometimes just used as an intensifier. Commiserate is from cum + “miserus” (unhappy, sad, related to "miserable"). The literal meaning is to feel sad with someone, to be sad together. Commemorate comes from “cum” + “memorare” / “memoria” (to remember / memory). The idea is that when we commemorate something, we remember it together / with each other. The suffix “-ate” appears in anglicized versions of Latin first conjugation verbs, as well as words derived from the Latin passive / past participle. It’s originally just a grammatical suffix with no semantic content.
December 19, 2019
Thank you very much Chris.
December 20, 2019
No. Co/con/com are a prefix meaning “with.” Misery relates to suffering and povery. Memory relates to remembering.
December 19, 2019
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!