imprisonment
UK: ɪmˈprɪzənmənt | US: ɪmˈprɪzənmənt
n. the state of being confined in prison; the act of imprisoning someone.
imprisonment = im<in> + prison<place of confinement> + ment<noun suffix>
- im<in>: Prefix meaning "in" or "into," from Latin in-.
- prison<place of confinement>: Root from Old French prisoun, derived from Latin prehensionem (seizing, capturing).
- ment<noun suffix>: Suffix forming nouns indicating an action or resulting state, from Latin -mentum.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin in- (into) + prehensionem (capture), evolving through Old French prisoun (prison). The suffix -ment was added in Middle English to nominalize the verb "imprison," creating "imprisonment" to denote the state or act of confinement. The logic reflects a progression from physical capture (prison) to the abstract concept of confinement (imprisonment).
His imprisonment lasted ten years before new evidence proved his innocence.
The judge sentenced the criminal to life imprisonment.
Many activists protested against the unjust imprisonment of political dissidents.
The memoir details her emotional struggles during imprisonment.
The law aims to reduce the imprisonment rate for nonviolent offenses.