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 #2 (permalink) Wed Oct 18, 2006 13:11 pm Research: 're-' + 'search' |
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Hi Tamara
| Quote: |
| The word research is obviously created by re + search... |
As a native speaker, I do not sense an "obvious" prefix. When I think of the word research, it is always as a unique word and not as a word with a prefix. Of course the prefix aspect is part of the word's history, but that's all it is to me.
Have a look here:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=research
How about the word resemble? Do you sense a prefix there?
Amy
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| #3 (permalink) Wed Oct 18, 2006 13:18 pm Research: 're-' + 'search' |
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Hi Amy
| Yankee wrote: |
| How about the word resemble? Do you sense a prefix there? |
No. I don't know 'semble'. In contrast to 'search' :)
OK. Perhaps, my brain is (are?) too analytical.
Thanks for the link.
By the way, what 'intensive prefix' (mentioned in the article you referred me to) means?
Could you give an example of another 'intensive prefix'?
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| #4 (permalink) Wed Oct 18, 2006 13:29 pm Research: 're-' + 'search' |
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Hi Tamara,
I would suggest it means that the 're' now forms part of the whole word, is solid with it, and is no longer considered to be a separate prefix as in:
refute/return/refund/repeat and so on and so on. Others could be :en/em/de -enable/encourage/enhance empower/employ/emit/degenerate/degrade/decide ....
Alan
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| #5 (permalink) Wed Oct 18, 2006 13:37 pm Research: 're-' + 'search' |
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Thanks, Alan. Clear.
Just one (the last :) ) question: does it (what you and Amy said) also relates to 're-' written with hyphen?
There are lots of such words, re-arrest, re-allocate, etc., you know.
Moreover, according to my dictionary, recount and re-count (for examples) are two different words, with different meanings.
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| #6 (permalink) Wed Oct 18, 2006 13:43 pm Research: 're-' + 'search' |
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Hi,
I would say that using the hyphen with 're' indicates that the word thus created isn't in a so-called solid state and we want to keep the 'repetitive' element of 're' alive. The case in point is the word you mention- recount / re-count. The first meaning 'tell a story/give a narrative' where the word is looked on as a whole and the second meaning 'count again' where the two parts are need to be 'separated'
Alan
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| #7 (permalink) Wed Oct 18, 2006 13:46 pm Research: 're-' + 'search' |
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| Tamara wrote: |
H
No. I don't know 'semble'. In contrast to 'search' :) |
But I guess you do know these:
- remember and member
- relate and late
- record and cord
- remove and move
;)
The point I wanted to make is that many words were originally created by adding a prefix to some other word, but are simply thought of as unique words today. For most people, the idea that a prefix is there is only vaguely in the subconscious -- if at all.
For other words, such as the word redo (i.e., do again), the added prefix is truly obvious.
Regarding intensifying prefixes, here is something that seems particularly fitting in view of your knitting thread. :lol: It discusses ravel/unravel and the (old) use of the prefix un- as an intensifier.
Amy
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| #8 (permalink) Wed Oct 18, 2006 13:49 pm Research: 're-' + 'search' |
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So, Alan, if I understand you correcly, re- (hyphened) isn't (yet :)) 'adnate' prefix (dead joint? figuratevely:)) and still keeps its initial role.
OK.
Thanks.
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| #9 (permalink) Wed Oct 18, 2006 13:54 pm Research: 're-' + 'search' |
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Amy, I understand your point.
Thank you for your examples.
P.S.
Jut a quick glance at the article you gave (I'll re-read :) it a bit later, more attentively.)
| Quote: |
| With unravel, however, it is difficult to determine whether we have un- reversing the 'tangle' sense of ravel or intensifying the 'untangle' sense. |
:)
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| #10 (permalink) Sat Oct 10, 2009 2:51 am Research: 're-' + 'search' |
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| An intensive prefix is not a prefix that native speakers no longer recognize as such. It means exactly what it sounds like. It means it intensifies or strengthens the meaning, similar to adding 'very' or 'way' before an adjective. Another example is inflammable. |
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| #11 (permalink) Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:06 am Research: 're-' + 'search' |
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| There is a difference between Latin and English prefixes, even when they look identical. Re- in research is a Latin prefix, that is, it was already added in Latin long before the English borrowed the word. In- in inflammable is most probably also a Latin prefix. |
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