belabor etymology

Etymology

The word "belabor" comes from the Middle English word "belaboren," which is derived from the Old French word "belabourer," which in turn comes from the Late Latin word "belaborare," meaning "to labor greatly," or "to beat severely." The word is ultimately derived from the Latin root "labor," meaning "work" or "effort."

Meaning

To belabor something means to discuss it or argue about it at great length, often in a repetitive or exhaustive manner. It can also mean to criticize or attack someone or something severely.

Origin

The word "belabor" first appeared in English in the early 14th century. It was originally used to describe the act of beating or striking someone severely. However, over time, the meaning of the word has shifted to its current sense of discussing or arguing about something at great length.

Usage

The word "belabor" is typically used in a negative sense. It implies that someone is talking about something too much or in too much detail, or that they are being too critical or harsh.

Examples

  • The politician belabored his opponent's record on healthcare.
  • The teacher belabored the point that students needed to study for the test.
  • The author belabors the details of the character's childhood in a way that becomes tedious.

belabor relate terms

  • labor

    Etymology The word labor comes from the Latin word laborare meaning to work toil

  • labor

    Etymology The word labor comes from the Latin word laborare meaning to work toil

  • belabor

    Etymology The word belabor comes from the Middle English word belaboren which is der

  • labored

    Etymology From Middle English labouren from Old French laborer from Latin labōrāre

  • belabour

    Etymology Middle English belaboren from Old French belabourer from be labourer

  • belabor

    Etymology The word belabor comes from the Middle English word belaboren which is der

  • bylaw

    Etymology Bylaw is a compound word composed of two separate terms By In legal context

  • bygones

    Etymology The word bygones is derived from two Old English words bygan past gān t

  • bystander

    Etymology The word bystander derives from the Middle English term bystandere circa 1

  • knock

    Etymology Middle English knokken from Old English cnocian Germanic root knut to

  • abet

    Etymology Abet Middle English from Old French abeter from abeter infinitive of abet

  • beat

    Etymology The word beat has several origins Old English béatan to strike hit

  • beta

    Etymology of beta The word beta comes from the second letter of the Greek alphabet

  • upbeat

    Etymology The word upbeat has its roots in music It is a combination of two words U

  • empathy

    Etymology Greek empatheia Latin empatia Middle French empatie English empath

  • pluck

    Etymology Middle English plukken from Old English pluccian probably from a Proto Ge

  • performance

    Etymology From Medieval Latin performantia from Latin perfōrmāre meaning to perform

  • psychology

    Etymology Psycho from Greek psyche meaning mind soul or breath logy from Gree

  • apprehension

    Etymology Late Middle English in the sense act of arresting or seizing via Old