grieve
UK[ɡriːv]US[ɡriːv]
v
to feel or express great sadness, especially because someone has died
v
(archaic) to cause great distress or sorrow to someone
Etymology
the word 'grieve' carries the weight of sorrow in its very history. it entered english from old french 'grever', which meant to burden or afflict. this french term evolved from the latin 'gravare', a verb meaning "to make heavy", itself derived from the adjective 'gravis' (heavy, serious, grave). the semantic journey is clear and logical: from the physical concept of heaviness in latin, to the metaphorical burden of affliction in old french, and finally to the modern english sense of experiencing deep, burdensome sadness, particularly due to loss. this connection is preserved in the related word 'grave', which shares the same latin root and connotes seriousness and weightiness.
Analysis
the word 'grieve' is a simplex form derived from the old french 'grever', meaning "to burden, afflict, oppress". its ultimate origin is the latin verb 'gravare', "to make heavy, burden", from the adjective 'gravis', "heavy, serious".
Examples
she continues to grieve for her lost companion.
it grieves me to see the old building demolished.
the whole nation grieved the passing of the beloved leader.