commandeer
UK[ˌkɒmənˈdɪə(r)]US[ˌkɑːmənˈdɪr]
v
To take control of something, especially private property, for military or public use, usually by force or authority.
v
To take something for oneself, often in a forceful or unexpected way.
Morpheme Breakdown
com
mand
eer
com
with, together, jointly
mand
to order, entrust, commit
eer
Etymology
The word 'commandeer' originates from the Afrikaans/Dutch term kommanderen, which itself derives from the French commander, meaning "to command". The French term is built from the Latin components com- (an intensifying prefix) and mandare ("to order, entrust"). The specific sense of seizing property for military purposes developed in the late 19th century within the context of the Boer Wars in South Africa, where the Afrikaans term was absorbed into English. Thus, the literal logic of "jointly ordering" evolved into the modern meaning of authoritatively, and often forcibly, taking possession.
Analysis
Structure: com + mand + eer
- com: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "with, together, jointly".
- mand: From Latin mandare, meaning "to order, entrust, commit".
- eer: A noun-forming suffix of French origin (via Dutch -ier), often denoting a person associated with an action or thing.
Examples
The army commandeered several local farms to use as a temporary base.
He commandeered the meeting to discuss his own agenda.
During the crisis, the government has the power to commandeer essential supplies.