undergo
Meaning
to experience something, especially a change or something unpleasant
Structure
Usage
the company will undergo a major restructuring next year.
patients often undergo a series of tests before diagnosis.
the bridge must undergo regular safety inspections.
Etymology
the word 'undergo' is a native english formation, combining the preposition/prefix 'under' with the verb 'go'. its literal sense in old english was 'to go beneath', which evolved to mean 'to be subjected to' or 'to endure'. this semantic shift reflects the metaphorical concept of passing through an experience, particularly a difficult or transformative one, as if moving underneath it. the modern abstract meaning of experiencing a process or change retains this core idea of moving through a situation.
Analysis
under (old english; prefix meaning 'beneath, below, in a lower position'); go (old english; verb meaning 'to move, proceed')