concede
UK[kənˈsiːd]US[kənˈsiːd]
v
to admit that something is true or correct, often unwillingly
v
to give something away, especially in a competition, argument, or fight
v
to admit that you have lost a game, election, or other contest
Morpheme Breakdown
con
cede
con
together, completely
cede
go, yield
Etymology
the verb 'concede' originates from the latin compound 'concedere', formed from the intensive prefix 'con-' and the verb 'cedere', meaning 'to go away, yield, or grant'. this literal sense of 'yielding completely' passed into middle french as 'conceder' before entering english in the 15th century. the core semantic logic has remained remarkably stable: from the physical act of giving way or withdrawing, it evolved to encompass the abstract notions of admitting a point in an argument or acknowledging defeat in a contest. thus, the modern meanings of reluctantly admitting truth or granting a right are direct descendants of the original latin concept of a complete yielding.
Analysis
Structure: con (together, completely) + cede (go, yield)
- con: a prefix from latin 'cum', meaning 'together' or 'with'. in this context, it intensifies the meaning to 'completely'.
- cede: a root from latin 'cedere', meaning 'to go', 'to yield', or 'to give way'.
Examples
after a long debate, he had to concede that her plan was more practical.
the company was forced to concede significant benefits to the union during negotiations.
the candidate decided to concede the election before all the votes were counted.