cement
UK: sɪˈmɛnt | US: səˈmɛnt
n. a powdery substance used in construction that hardens when mixed with water
vt. to bind or join with or as if with cement
The word "cement" traces back to Latin caementum, meaning "quarry stone" or "rough chips," derived from caedere ("to cut"). Over time, it evolved to refer to the binding material made from crushed stone. The suffix -ment (from Latin -mentum) denotes a resulting product or means. The modern sense reflects its role as a binding agent in construction, mirroring the original idea of "cut stone" being repurposed into a cohesive material.
The workers mixed sand and water with cement to make concrete.
Their shared experiences cemented a lifelong friendship.
Ancient Romans used volcanic ash to create durable cement.
The treaty cemented alliances between the two nations.
A layer of cement was applied to secure the bricks in place.