discover
UK[dɪˈskʌvə(r)]US[dɪˈskʌvər]
v
to find something, or to learn about something that was not known before
v
to be the first person to find a particular place, thing, or fact
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
cover
dis
reverse/remove
cover
to hide
Etymology
the word "discover" entered english in the 14th century from old french descovrir, which itself was built from the latin elements dis- (expressing reversal) and cooperire (to cover). the literal sense was "to remove the cover from, to unveil." this concrete meaning evolved into the modern abstract sense of finding or learning something previously hidden or unknown. the journey reflects a shift from a physical act of revelation to the intellectual act of finding new knowledge or lands.
Analysis
Structure: dis (reverse/remove) + cover (to hide)
- dis: a latin prefix meaning "apart," "asunder," "away," or having a reversing or negative force.
- cover: from old french covrir, meaning "to cover, protect, conceal," ultimately from latin cooperire ("to cover over").
Examples
scientists are working to discover a cure for the disease.
columbus is credited with discovering the americas in 1492.
i was surprised to discover that we had been at the same school.