devour etymology

Etymology:

  • Old French: devourer
  • Latin: dēvorāre
  • PIE: *gʷer- "to swallow, devour"

Meaning:

  • To consume greedily or ravenously
  • To destroy or consume something rapidly and aggressively

Origin:

The word "devour" originates from the Proto-Indo-European root "*gʷer-" meaning "to swallow or devour." The Latin verb "dēvorāre" evolved from this root, likely influenced by the prefix "dē-" (meaning "from"), emphasizing the act of "swallowing something down."

In Old French, the word "devourer" emerged, meaning "to swallow, devour, or consume." It was later adopted into Middle English and eventually into Modern English.

Usage:

The verb "devour" is commonly used to describe:

  • Eating or consuming food or drink with great speed or appetite
  • Reading or studying something with intense focus and absorption
  • Consuming or destroying something rapidly or greedily (e.g., a wildfire devouring a forest)

Examples:

  • "The hungry lions devoured their prey in minutes."
  • "She devoured the mystery novel in one sitting."
  • "The flames devoured the building, reducing it to ashes."

devour relate terms

  • carnivorous

    Etymology The word carnivorous comes from the Latin words carnis flesh and vorare

  • devour

    Etymology Old French devourer Latin dēvorāre PIE gʷer to swallow devour Me

  • gorge

    Etymology Old French gorge Latin gurges throat whirlpool Proto Indo European

  • gurges

    Etymology Latin gurges meaning whirlpool or abyss Meaning A whirlpool vor

  • hellebore

    Etymology The genus name Helleborus is derived from the Greek words helein to inju

  • herbivore

    Etymology The word herbivore is derived from the Latin words herba meaning grass

  • herbivorous

    Etymology Herbivorous is derived from the Latin words herba herb and vorare to dev

  • insectivore

    Etymology Insectus Latin insect vore Latin eater Meaning An insectivore

  • locavore

    Etymology The word locavore is a portmanteau of the Latin word locus meaning place

  • omnivorous

    Etymology Omnivorous is a compound word derived from Latin Omni prefix meaning all

  • voracious

    Etymology Voracious comes from the Latin word vorāx meaning devouring or greed

  • voracity

    Etymology Latin voracem nominative singular vorācem accusative singular Proto In

  • raven

    Etymology The word raven derives from the Middle English rauen which itself originat

  • demolish

    Etymology The word demolish comes from the Old French word demolir which in turn co

  • down

    Etymology The word down has origins in several Germanic languages Old English dun

  • gullet

    Etymology From Middle English golet golette from Old French golet throat Ulti

  • absorb

    Etymology The word absorb comes from the Latin word absorbere which means to suck

  • rapid

    Etymology Derived from the Latin rapidus meaning swift or quick Meaning Mo

  • scarf

    Etymology The word scarf comes from the Old French word escharpe which itself is de

  • enjoy

    Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their meanings It traces the developmen