ser
/ˈseɾ/
verb
Origin
Latin
sedere — to sit
Overview
Meaning Now
- to be (denoting essential nature, identity, or permanent characteristics)
Language path
Latin → Old Spanish → Spanish
Earliest form
seer
Earliest period
12th century
Journey
The Spanish verb 'ser' is a result of the syncretism of two Latin verbs: 'esse' (to be) and 'sedere' (to sit). In many Romance languages, the concept of location or state was linked to the act of sitting or remaining, which led to 'sedere' eventually providing the root for the infinitive form 'ser'.
Evolution
- Latin
sedere
“to sit / to be situated”
- Vulgar Latin
essere
“to be”
Merged with the Latin esse (to be)
- Old Spanish
seer
“to be”
- Spanish
ser
“to be”
Apocope of the final -e
Connections
Word parts
ser
root
state of being
Related across languages
Portuguese
to be
Italian
essere
to be
French
être
to be
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Related to ser
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.