succeed
succeed
UK[səkˈsiːd]US[səkˈsiːd]
v
To achieve the desired aim or result.
v
To take over a throne, office, or other position from someone.
Morpheme Breakdown
sub
cede
sub
under, close to, up to, after
cede
to go, move, yield
Etymology
The word 'succeed' entered English in the late Middle English period via Old French from Latin succedere, composed of sub- meaning 'close to, after' and cedere meaning 'to go'. Its original literal sense was "to come close after, to follow after". This evolved into the meaning of inheriting a title or position by following someone (e.g., a king). From this notion of following and taking over a role, the meaning broadened to the more abstract and dominant modern sense of achieving a desired goal or attaining prosperity, completing the journey from a spatial concept of movement to a metaphorical one of favorable outcome.
Analysis
Structure: sub + cede
- sub: Latin origin, meaning "under, close to, up to, after".
- cede: Latin origin, from cedere, meaning "to go, move, yield".
Examples
With hard work and dedication, you will eventually succeed.
He is expected to succeed his father as the company's CEO.
The plan is unlikely to succeed without their full support.