abandon
UK[əˈbændən]US[əˈbændən]
v
To leave a place, thing, or person, usually for ever
v
To stop doing an activity before you have finished it
v
To give yourself completely to a feeling or emotion
Etymology
The word 'abandon' entered English in the late 14th century from the Old French phrase 'à bandon', meaning "under one's control" or "at one's discretion." This phrase itself derived from the Late Latin 'ad bannum', signifying "to the proclamation" or "under the jurisdiction." The semantic journey is fascinating: the original sense of being under someone's power evolved into the idea of giving something over to that power, which then reversed to mean giving something up entirely or releasing control, leading to its modern meanings of leaving behind or surrendering.
Analysis
The word 'abandon' is a simplex loanword from French. It does not contain separable, meaningful morphemes within its modern English spelling.
Examples
They had to abandon the sinking ship.
He abandoned his studies to pursue a career in music.
She danced with joyful abandon.