-ment
(Latin: a suffix; result of, means of, act of; place of action)
The suffix -meant is a final word element derived through Middle English and French from the Latin suffix -ment(um), originally used to form agent and action nouns from verbs, now used to form nouns and denominative verbs in several related senses:
- "An action, process, or skill" denoted by the combining root: rearmament, tournament, management.
- "A result, object, or agent of an action" named by the joining root: entombment, enthrallment, agreement.
- "The means or instrument of an action": implement, medicament, reinforcement.
- "The place of an action" named by the first root: battlement, ambushment, settlement.
- "A state or condition" specified by the first root: bewilderment, predicament, bereavement.
The verb combinations show no change in basic form: cement, compliment, lament.
Principal parts: -menting, -mented, -mented.
Related forms: -mentum (singular); -menta, -menti, -ments (plurals).
abolishment
The act of annulling; abrogation; destruction.
abridgment, abridgement
1. The act or process of abridging or shortening; a shortening of time or labor; a curtailment of privileges.
2. A compendium of a larger work, with the details abridged, and less important things omitted, but retaining the sense and substance; an epitome, or abstract.
3. Abridgment, or abridgement, appeared c. 1494, borrowed from Old French abregement, from abreger.
accompaniment
accomplishment
accouterment, accoutrement
1. Clothing that is worn or carried, but not part of one's main clothing; personal clothing, accessories, etc.
2. The equipment, excluding weapons and clothing, of a soldier.
3. Outward forms of recognition; trappings; such as, cathedral ceilings, heated swimming pools, and other accoutrements signaling great wealth.
achievement
1. Something accomplished; especially, by superior ability, special effort, great courage, etc.
2. The act of achieving; attainment or accomplishment.
3. In heraldry, the full display of the armorial bearings (bearing a coat or coats of arms) of an individual or corporation.
acquirement
adjournment
adjustment
adornment
advancement
advenement
That which comes or happens; an event, incident.
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advisement
To consider something carefully: "They received a message from their congressman saying: 'Thank you for your suggestion. We'll take the matter under advisement.' "
aggrandizement
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