occupy
/ˈɒkjupaɪ/
verb
Origin
Latin
occupare — to seize, take possession of, or occupy
Overview
Meaning Now
- To fill or reside in a space, place, or position.
- To busy or keep someone engaged.
- To take control of a place, especially by military force.
Literal older meaning
to take into one's possession or hold
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
occupier
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The verb was originally used in English in the sense of using or enjoying something, including sexual euphemisms, before taking on its modern military and spatial meanings during the late medieval and early modern periods.
Evolution
- Latin
occupare
“to seize or occupy”
- Old French
occuper
“to occupy or busy”
- Middle English
occupien
“to take possession or use”
- Modern English
occupy
“to reside in, busy, or seize”
Sense shift from general possession to military control and mental engagement
Connections
Word parts
oc-
prefix
variant of ob-, towards or against
-cupy
root
from capere, to take
Related across languages
French
occuper
to occupy
Spanish
ocupar
to occupy
Italian
occupare
to occupy
Explore next
Related to occupy
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.