declare
UK[dɪˈkleə(r)]US[dɪˈkler]
v
to say something officially or publicly
v
to state something firmly and clearly
v
to officially tell someone the value of goods you have bought, or the amount of money you have earned, because you might have to pay tax
Morpheme Breakdown
de
clare
de
completely
clare
clear
Etymology
The word 'declare' entered English in the 14th century from the Old French 'declarer', which itself derived from the Latin 'declarare'. This Latin verb is a compound of the intensive prefix 'de-' meaning "completely" and 'clarare' meaning "to make clear", from 'clarus' meaning "clear, bright, famous". The core semantic logic moves from the literal sense of "making something thoroughly clear" to the modern abstract meanings of making a formal, public, or emphatic statement. This evolution reflects a shift from a physical or visual brightness to a metaphorical clarity and definitiveness in speech or writing.
Analysis
Structure: de (completely) + clare (clear)
de: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "completely, thoroughly, down from".
clare: Latin origin, from the root 'clar-' meaning "clear, bright".
Examples
The government declared a state of emergency.
He declared his intention to run for president.
You must declare any goods over the allowed value at customs.