rivals
/ˈraɪvəlz/
noun/verb
Origin
Latin
rivalis — of or relating to a brook
Overview
Meaning Now
- people or things competing for the same goal or superiority in the same field
- verbs: to be or seem to be equal or comparable to something else in quality
Literal older meaning
those who share the same stream or brook
Language path
Latin → French → English
Earliest form
rival
Earliest period
late 16th century
Journey
The term originates from Roman law and agricultural custom. Neighbors whose land was separated by a 'rivus' (stream) frequently had disputes over water usage and boundaries, leading the word 'rivalis' to evolve from 'one who shares a stream' to 'someone involved in a conflict'.
Evolution
- Latin
rivus
“stream, brook”
Root concept of shared water source
- Latin
rivalis
“one who uses the same stream as another”
Neighbors sharing a water source often feuded over rights
- Old French
rival
“competitor, adversary”
- Middle English
rival
“person competing for the same objective”
Connections
Word parts
rival
root
competitor
s
ending
plural marker
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.