require
UK[rɪˈkwaɪə(r)]US[rɪˈkwaɪər]
v
to need something or make something necessary
v
to officially demand that someone does something, especially because of a rule or law
Morpheme Breakdown
re
quire
re
again, back
quire
to seek, to ask
Etymology
The word 'require' entered English in the late 14th century from Old French requerre, which itself evolved from Vulgar Latin requaerere, a compound of the Latin prefix re- (here intensifying the meaning) and the verb quaerere ("to seek, ask"). The core semantic journey is from the literal act of "seeking back" or "asking for again" to the modern abstract senses of necessity and official demand. The Latin quaerere is of uncertain origin, though it may be related to concepts of acquisition. Over time, the sense of insistent asking evolved into the idea of something being needed or mandated, reflecting a shift from an active request to an objective condition or a binding rule.
Analysis
Structure: re (again, back) + quire (to seek, to ask)
- re: A Latin prefix meaning "again" or "back".
- quire: From the Latin root quaerere, meaning "to seek, to ask, to inquire". It appears in English as a bound root in words like 'inquire', 'acquire', and 'enquire'.
Examples
This task will require patience and attention to detail.
The law requires all drivers to have valid insurance.
The recipe requires three eggs.