declare
/dɪˈklɛər/
verb
Origin
Latin
declarare — to make clear, reveal, or disclose
Overview
Meaning Now
- To make known or state clearly, formally, or emphatically.
- To announce as an official decision or judgment.
- In cricket, to close an innings voluntarily before all batsmen are out.
Literal older meaning
to make clear
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
declaren
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The term entered the English language during the transition from the Middle Ages to the early modern period, coinciding with the increased formalization of legal and administrative language in government and trade.
Evolution
- Latin
declarare
“to make clear, manifest”
From de- (thoroughly) + clarare (to make bright/clear).
- Old French
declarer
“to declare, make known”
- Middle English
declaren
“to state, explain, show”
- Modern English
declare
“to announce formally or emphatically”
Connections
Word parts
de-
prefix
thoroughly
clar
root
clear, bright
-e
ending
infinitive marker
Related across languages
French
déclarer
to declare
Spanish
declarar
to declare
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Related to declare
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.