clothe
UK[kləʊð]US[kloʊð]
v
to put clothes on (someone); to dress
v
to provide clothes for someone
Etymology
the verb 'clothe' originates from the old english word 'clāþian', which meant 'to put clothes on, to cover with cloth'. this, in turn, is derived from 'clāþ', the old english word for 'cloth' or 'garment'. the root is of germanic origin, related to dutch 'kleden' and german 'kleiden'. the semantic evolution is direct and concrete: from the material ('cloth') to the action of applying that material ('to clothe'). unlike its noun counterpart 'cloth', which remained specific to the material, 'clothe' developed the broader, more abstract sense of providing garments or covering.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form derived from a germanic root. it functions as a verb in modern english.
Examples
she hurried to clothe the children before school.
his salary was barely enough to feed and clothe his family.
the charity's mission is to clothe and shelter the homeless.