zer-

Meaning

1. (morpheme) asunder, to pieces, to bits
2. (morpheme) to spoil by

Synonyms

auseinander-

Fransen

ver-

Pronounced as (IPA)

/tsɛɐ̯/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle High German: zer-, ze-, zu-

Cognate with Middle Low German: to-

Cognate with Latin: dis-

Cognate with English: dissolve

In summary

Middle High German zer-, ze-, zu-
Assumed to be fused from er- and an old prefix ze-, already denoting an aspect of dissolvement and asunderness. The latter is probably cognate with Middle Low German to- and English to- of the same meaning. All are ultimately from Proto-Germanic *twiz-, from Proto-Indo-European *dwís, thus further cognate with Latin dis- as in English dissolve.