conquered
/ˈkɒŋkərd/
verb
Origin
Latin
conquirere — to seek after, search for, procure
Overview
Meaning Now
- Successfully overcome and take control of (a place or people) by military force.
- Successfully surmount or prevail over (a problem or weakness).
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
conqueren
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The term evolved from the Latin 'conquirere' meaning 'to seek'. In the legal sense of Roman law, it referred to acquiring goods. Through medieval influence, the meaning shifted toward military acquisition, specifically denoting the forceful takeover of territory.
Evolution
- Latin
conquirere
“to collect, seek together”
From com- (together) + quaerere (to seek).
- Vulgar Latin
conquirere
“to acquire, gain”
- Old French
conquerre
“to win, acquire, conquer”
- Middle English
conqueren
“to defeat, vanquish”
Connections
Word parts
con-
prefix
together, with
quer
root
to seek
-ed
ending
past tense marker
Related across languages
French
conquérir
to conquer
Spanish
conquistar
to conquer
Related words
Explore next
Related to conquered
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.