classified

UK: /ˈklæs.ɪ.faɪd/ | US: /ˈklæs.ə.faɪd/

Definition

  1. adj. officially designated as secret or restricted (e.g., government documents)

  2. adj. arranged into categories or classes

  3. v. (past tense of classify) to assign something to a category

Structure
classi <category>fy <make>ed <past participle suffix>
Etymology

Derived from Latin classis (a division or category) + -ficare (a combining form of facere, meaning "to make"). The suffix -ed marks it as a past participle. Originally used in the 18th century to denote systematic categorization, the term later acquired its "secret" connotation in military/government contexts (early 20th century), reflecting the logic of "making categories" for restricted access.

Examples

  1. The report was marked classified and stored in a secure vault.

  2. She classified the specimens based on their genetic traits.

  3. Classified ads in newspapers help people find jobs or sell items.

  4. The documents were declassified after 50 years.

  5. Biologists classified the new species under a rare genus.