internment
UK: ɪnˈtɜːnmənt | US: ɪnˈtɜːrnmənt
n. the act of confining someone, especially during wartime or for political reasons
n. the state of being confined as a prisoner or detainee
internment = intern<confine> + ment<noun suffix>
- intern: From Latin internus ("internal"), later adapted to mean "to confine" (especially in military or political contexts).
- ment: A suffix forming nouns indicating an action or resulting state (e.g., government, development).
Etymology Origin:
The word internment traces back to the Latin internus ("within"), which evolved into the verb intern in English, meaning "to confine or restrict movement." The suffix -ment was added to nominalize the action, creating a term specifically associated with detention, often under state authority (e.g., wartime internment camps). The logic reflects a progression from "internal" to "forced containment."
During WWII, Japanese Americans faced unjust internment in camps.
The government justified the internment of dissidents as a wartime necessity.
Survivors of the internment camps shared harrowing stories of isolation.
The policy of mass internment violated basic human rights.
Historical records reveal the harsh conditions of internment facilities.