company
Meaning
A commercial business.
The fact or condition of being with another or others, especially in a way that provides friendship and enjoyment.
A guest or guests.
A group of people gathered together, especially for a particular purpose.
A unit of soldiers, typically part of a battalion.
Structure
Usage
She works for a large software company.
We really enjoyed your company at dinner last night.
A company of actors performed the play for the local community.
Etymology
The word 'company' has a rich history rooted in social and economic life. It originates from the Late Latin 'companio', literally meaning "one who eats bread with another", formed from 'com-' (together) and 'panis' (bread). This concept of sharing a meal as a fundamental social bond evolved in Old French into 'compaignie', denoting companionship, fellowship, or a group of associates. By the 14th century, English adopted the term, and its meaning expanded from a band of companions to specifically refer to a trading guild or a business association, reflecting how shared economic ventures grew from shared social bonds.
Analysis
- com: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "together, with". - pan: Latin origin, from 'panis', meaning "bread". - y: Old English origin, a noun-forming suffix indicating a state, condition, or entity.