Langimage
English

internment

|in/tern/ment|

C1

🇺🇸

/ɪnˈtɜrn.mənt/

🇬🇧

/ɪnˈtɜːn.mənt/

confinement during wartime

Etymology
Etymology Information

'internment' originates from French, specifically the word 'interner,' where 'inter-' meant 'inside' and '-ner' was a suffix used in forming verbs.

Historical Evolution

'interner' transformed into the English word 'internment' through Middle English.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to confine within,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'detaining during wartime.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

the act of confining someone in a prison or detention camp, especially during wartime.

During World War II, many Japanese Americans faced internment.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45