enlargement etymology

Etymology:

  • Old French: enlargir ("to enlarge, make wider")
  • Latin: inlargare ("to make wide, extend")
  • Indo-European root: *larg- ("wide")

Meaning and Origin:

The word "enlargement" derives from the French verb "enlargir," which ultimately comes from the Latin verb "inlargare." This Latin verb was formed from the prefix "in-" (meaning "in, into") and the root "largus" (meaning "wide, broad").

In its original Latin meaning, "inlargare" referred to the action of making something wider or more extensive. This sense of "widening" or "extending" has been retained in the English word "enlargement," which denotes the process or result of making something larger, bigger, or more capacious.

The prefix "en-" in "enlargement" reinforces the idea of making something larger or more expansive. It carries the sense of "making something more than it already is," suggesting an increase in size or scope.

Over time, the meaning of "enlargement" has also come to include the idea of making something more prominent, conspicuous, or noticeable. This metaphorical sense is derived from the physical act of making something larger, as a larger object naturally becomes more visually noticeable.

enlargement relate terms

  • enlarge

    Etymology Old French enlarger to make larger widen Late Latin en largus broad s

  • large

    Etymology The word large comes from the Old English word lǽrge which itself derive

  • amazement

    Etymology of Amazement The word amazement has its roots in Old French derived from t

  • betterment

    Etymology The word betterment is derived from the Old English betrian meaning to ma

  • merriment

    Etymology Middle English mirthe from Old English myrþ Cognates with other Germanic la

  • magnification

    Etymology The word magnification comes from the Latin word magnificare which means

  • expansion

    Etymology Latin expansio From the verb expandere meaning to spread out unfold

  • elaboration

    Etymology The word elaboration is derived from the Latin verb elaborare which means

  • amplification

    Etymology and Meaning Amplification comes from the Latin word amplificare meaning to

  • proliferation

    Etymology Late Latin proliferat from pro forth ferre to bear French prolif

  • accession

    Etymology Latin accedere to approach to enter upon Proto Indo European ad gʰed

  • accretion

    Etymology The word accretion comes from the Latin verb accrēscere which means to g

  • discussion

    Etymology The word discussion originates from the Latin word discutere meaning to

  • photograph

    Etymology The word photograph is derived from the Greek words Phōs φῶς Ligh