来自古法语与拉丁语的名词后缀-ment也经历了被英语同化的过程，所以，它既可以充当原生后缀加在动词词根上，也可以充当派生后缀加在动词上。-ment的意思主要是the act or state or fact of～ing（…的行为、状况或事实），the condition of being～ed（被…的状况），the product or result of～ing（…的产物或结果），the cause or means of～ing（…的原因或手段）等。

下面先介绍动词与-ment结合的代表性词例。

enjoyment［enjoy　v. 享受；-ment→］n. the act or state of enjoying; pleasure享受；欢乐 / Enjoyment anticipated is twice enjoyment fulfilled. 期待之乐倍胜满足之乐。

amazement［amaze　v. 使惊奇；-ment⇒“the condition of being amazed感到惊奇的状况”→］n. great surprise; sudden wonder惊奇，诧异 / The girl was filled with amazement when she first saw the ocean. 初次见到大海，那姑娘心中充满了惊奇之情。

measurement［measure　v. 测量；-ment⇒“the act or result of measuring测量之行为或结果”→］n.①finding the size, quantity or amount测量 / The measurement of weight by a scale is easy. 用天平测量重量是很容易的事。②size, quantity or amount found by measuring尺寸，数量，总量 / The measurements of this room are-3 by 4 metres. 这房间的尺寸是3米乘4米。

pavement［pave　v. 铺（路）；-ment⇒“the product of paving铺路的产物”→］n. a paved street or sidewalk铺过的道路或人行道 / The car lost control and ran onto the pavement. 汽车失控，冲到人行道上去了。

government［govern　v. 统治；-ment⇒“the means of governing统治的手段”→］n. a body that governs or rules政体，政府 / In Great Britain, "the government" may mean the cabinet. 在英国，“政府”是指内阁。

▷governmental a. 政府的

下面介绍的是动词词根与-ment构成的名词

fragment［frag＝to break破碎；-ment⇒“the product of breaking破碎之产物”→］n. a part broken off; piece of sth. broken碎片，碎块 / She tried to put the fragments of the dish back together. 她想把盘子的碎片再拼到一块。

▷fragmental a. 碎片的；不完全的

instrument［instru＝to instruct教育，指导；-ment⇒“the means of instructing用来教育、指导之手段”→］n. a tool or device工具，器具；仪器，器械 / A pair of forceps and a drill are two instruments used by dentists. 镊子和钻头是牙医用的两种器械。

▷instrumental a. 仪器的，器械的

nutriment［nutri＝to nourish养育；-ment⇒“thing that nourishes养育之物”→］n. nourishment; food营养品；食物 / In Africa many children died of the lack of nutriment. 在非洲，许多儿童因缺乏营养而夭折。

parliament［parlia＝to speak讲话；-ment⇒“the means of speaking about the state affairs议论国家大事之手段”→］n. supreme law-making assembly of a country议会 / He is a Member of Parliament; he entered Parliament last year. 他是国会议员。他是去年进入国会的。

▷parliamentary a. 议会的

练习　31

1．［词缀辨义］

2．［望文生义］

3．［举一反三］

4．［同义相连］

A　动词＋-ment→派生名词

B　拉丁动词词干＋-ment→原生名词

C　动词词根＋-ment→原生名词

5．［心领神会］

6．［节外生枝］