deliver
/dɪˈlɪv.ər/
verb
Origin
Latin
deliberare — to set free, liberate
Overview
Meaning Now
- To bring and hand over to the proper recipient or address.
- To provide or produce something that was promised or expected.
- To assist in the birth of a child.
Literal older meaning
to set free or release
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
deliveren
Earliest period
13th century
Journey
The word originally focused on the act of liberation or setting someone free from bondage. Over time, the sense shifted from physical liberation to the act of handing over goods, possibly influenced by the idea of 'releasing' a shipment or object to its destination.
Evolution
- Latin
deliberare
“to set free”
- Old French
delivrer
“to release, set free, or hand over”
- Middle English
deliveren
“to set free, rescue, or hand over”
- Modern English
deliver
“to transport, hand over, or birth”
Connections
Word parts
de-
prefix
away from
liber
root
free
Related across languages
French
délivrer
to deliver or free
Spanish
deliberar
to deliberate (a distinct semantic path from the same root)
Explore next
Related to deliver
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.