fact

made, done

Quick Summary

It’s a fact that the Latin root word fact has ‘made’ many words in English; in point of fact, it even means ‘made’ or ‘done.’ Some common English words that come from fact include manufacture, artifact, and satisfaction. A very easy way to remember fact is the original idea behind the word factory, which is a place where products are ‘made.’

'Fact' the Word Factory

It’s a fact that the Latin root word fact has ‘made’ many words in English; in point of fact, it even means ‘made’ or ‘done.’

What is a fact? It is simply something that has been ‘made’ already, so it is real. Another way of thinking about a fact is that it’s a ‘done’ deal. Facts used for science or in a court of law must have been ‘made’ already for them to be useful. Hence, something factual has a basis in reality, that is, it has been ‘made’ or ‘done.’

A chocolate factory is a place where chocolate is ‘made.’ A place where cars are manufactured is an industrial setting where they are ‘made.’ Originally, something that was manufactured was ‘made’ exclusively by hand, such as clothing or shoes on a mass scale.

An artifact is something ‘made’ by human skill or artistic know-how. Anthropologists are particularly interested in artifacts because they tell them things about the ancient cultures who ‘made’ these objects.

A masterpiece might cause a budding tailor great satisfaction because it shows that he has ‘done’ enough to earn the rank of a master tailor. As a matter of fact, a masterpiece was an excellent piece of work created by an apprentice that was the deciding factor in earning the rank of master, that is, it would either ‘make’ him a master, or ‘do’ him in.

Do you remember the Gorgon Medusa from Greek mythology? She was into petrifaction, or having people ‘made’ into stone by gazing upon them. This, of course, is the work of a malefactor, or one who ‘does’ evil to or ‘makes’ evil for another. A benefactor, on the other hand, only ‘does’ good things for someone else.

Have you ever undergone the process of stupefaction, or being ‘made’ so completely amazed by something that it renders you stupid, or speechless momentarily? Like now?

I hope that your newly gained factual knowledge of fact has ‘made’ serious inroads into your vocabulary satisfaction! ‘Done’!

  1. fact: thing ‘made’
  2. factual: pertaining to a thing ‘made’
  3. factory: place where things are ‘made’
  4. manufacture: ‘make’ by hand
  5. artifact: ‘made’ by human skill
  6. satisfaction: ‘done’ enough
  7. factor: ‘maker’
  8. petrifaction: ‘making’ stone
  9. malefactor: evil-‘doer’
  10. benefactor: good-‘doer’
  11. stupefaction: ‘making’ amazed

Usage

  • artifact

    An artifact is a weapon, tool, or piece of art created by human beings that is historically and culturally interesting or valuable.

  • factitious

    Something factitious is not genuine or natural; it is made to happen in a forced, artificial way.

  • benefaction

    A benefaction is a charitable contribution of money or assistance that someone gives to a person or organization.

  • factious

    A small group or issue that is factious is controversial and promotes strong disagreement or dissatisfaction within a larger group.

  • olfactory

    Your olfactory senses pertain to your sense of smell.

  • manufacture

    When workers manufacture things, they make a lot of them, usually with the help of machines.

  • factor

    A factor is one of the things that affects or contributes to an event, such as the weather during a soccer game or how many people show up for a party.

  • benefactor

    a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)

  • benefactress

    a woman benefactor

  • dissatisfaction

    the feeling of being displeased and discontent

  • fact

    a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

  • faction

    a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue

  • factoid

    something resembling a fact

  • factory

    a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing

  • factotum

    a servant employed to do a variety of jobs

  • malefactor

    someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime

  • petrifaction

    the process of turning some plant material into stone by infiltration with water carrying mineral particles without changing the original shape

  • putrefaction

    a state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor

  • rarefaction

    a decrease in the density of something

  • satisfaction

    the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

  • stupefaction

    a feeling of stupefied astonishment

Related Word Sums

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