OpenEtymology

subscribe

UKsəbˈskraɪbUSsəbˈskraɪb

Meaning

1v

to pay money to receive a publication or service regularly.

2v

to arrange to receive an electronic service, especially a website's updates.

3v

to express agreement with or approval of an idea or proposal.

Structure

word structure
1
sub
under
+
2
write

Usage

i subscribe to two monthly magazines.

please subscribe to our youtube channel for more videos.

i wholeheartedly subscribe to the principle of equal opportunity for all.

Etymology

the word subscribe originates from the latin 'subscribere,' a compound of 'sub-' (under) and 'scribere' (to write). its literal sense was "to write underneath," referring to the act of signing one's name at the bottom of a document. this practice evolved to signify giving one's consent or approval, as a signature often formalized an agreement. from this meaning of formal agreement, the term further specialized in commercial contexts to denote the act of signing up for, and thereby agreeing to pay for, a periodic publication or service, which is its dominant modern sense.

Analysis

Structure
sub (under) + scribe (write)=subunder+scribewrite

sub- is a latin prefix meaning "under, below, or from below." scribe is from latin 'scribere' meaning "to write."

Subscribe Etymology, Origin & Meaning | wordDNA