avoid
/əˈvɔɪd/
verb
Origin
Old French
esvuidier — to empty out
Overview
Meaning Now
- To keep away from or refrain from doing something.
- To prevent something from happening.
Literal older meaning
to empty out or cast out
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
avoyder
Earliest period
13th century
Journey
The word entered English during the Middle English period. Initially, it meant to physically remove something or vacate a space. The sense of 'shunning' or 'keeping away from' a person or event developed in the 15th century.
Evolution
- Latin
exvacuare
“to empty”
Reconstructed base form.
- Old French
esvuidier
“to empty out”
- Middle English
avoiden
“to empty, depart, or eject”
- Modern English
avoid
“to shun or prevent”
Connections
Word parts
a-
prefix
out of / away
void
root
empty
Related across languages
French
vider
to empty
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.