contend etymology

Etymology and Meaning

Contend comes from the Latin word "contendere," which means "to struggle together." The verb "contend" has been used in English since the 13th century, and it has the following meanings:

• To argue or dispute with someone.
• To compete with someone in a contest or race.
• To strive or make an effort to achieve something.

Origin

The Latin word "contendere" is derived from the following root words:

• "Con-": A prefix meaning "together" or "completely."
• "Tendere": A verb meaning "to stretch" or "to strain."

The original meaning of "contendere" was "to stretch or strain together," which implied a struggle or competition. Over time, the word came to be used more figuratively to refer to arguing, disputing, or striving to achieve something.

contend relate terms

• contender

  Etymology The word contender comes from the Latin verb contendere meaning to striv

• contend

  Etymology and Meaning Contend comes from the Latin word contendere which means to str

• contention

  Etymology Middle English contencioun from Old French contencion Old French from Lati

• contend

  Etymology and Meaning Contend comes from the Latin word contendere which means to str

• argue

  Etymology The word argue derives from the Old French word arguer which in turn origi

• debate

  Etymology The word debate derives from the Old French word debatre which in turn com

• agonize

  Etymology and Meaning agonize verb Origin From Late Latin agonizāre from Greek a

• concert

  Etymology The word concert comes from the Middle French word concerto which in turn c

• dispute

  Etymology The word dispute originates from the Latin word disputare which means to

• skirmish

  Etymology and Origin The word skirmish originates from the Middle French word escarmou