contend
UK[kənˈtɛnd]US[kənˈtɛnd]
v
to struggle or compete with difficulties or an opponent
v
to argue or state that something is true
Morpheme Breakdown
con
tend
con
together, with
tend
stretch, strive
Etymology
The word 'contend' originates from the Latin verb 'contendere,' which is a compound of the prefix 'con-' (meaning "together" or "with") and the verb 'tendere' (meaning "to stretch" or "to strive"). The literal sense of the Latin verb was "to stretch out together" or "to exert oneself with force," which evolved into the figurative meanings of struggling in competition or debate. This semantic shift from physical stretching to metaphorical striving passed through Old French before entering Middle English, solidifying its modern abstract senses of competing against rivals or asserting a claim in argument.
Analysis
Structure: con (together, with) + tend (stretch, strive)
- con-: A prefix of Latin origin (from 'cum'), meaning "together, with, jointly."
- tend: A root of Latin origin (from 'tendere'), meaning "to stretch, strive, extend."
Examples
Several teams are contending for the championship title.
I must contend that his analysis is fundamentally flawed.
She has had to contend with numerous obstacles throughout her career.