raze etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: rasen, from Old French: raser, from Late Latin: rāsus, past participle of rādere "to scrape, shave"
  • Proto-Indo-European: *h₁reǵ- "to scrape, cut"

Meaning:

  • To destroy completely or level to the ground, typically by fire or demolition.
  • To demolish or remove something completely.

Origin:

The word "raze" originated from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁reǵ-, which meant "to scrape" or "cut." In Late Latin, it evolved into the word rādere, which meant "to shave" or "scrape off." This word was borrowed into Old French as raser, and eventually entered Middle English as rasen. The modern spelling "raze" was adopted in the 16th century.

Historical Usage:

The word "raze" has been used for centuries to describe the act of destroying or demolishing something. In the context of war, it often refers to the destruction of buildings or fortifications. For example, during the American Civil War, the city of Atlanta was razed by Union forces. The word can also be used to describe the destruction of natural features, such as forests or mountains, through human activities like deforestation or mining.

raze relate terms

  • abrade

    Etymology Abrasion derives from the Latin verb abradere meaning to scrape or wear aw

  • raze

    Etymology Middle English rasen from Old French raser from Late Latin rāsus past

  • abrasion

    Etymology From Latin abrasio abradere to scrape off Composed of ab away from an

  • raze

    Etymology Middle English rasen from Old French raser from Late Latin rāsus past

  • rase

    Etymology Old English ras bald clean shaven Middle English ras bald clean shav

  • rash

    Etymology The word rash is derived from the Old English word ræsc which means a ski

  • razor

    Etymology The word razor is derived from the Old French word rasoir which in turn co

  • slight

    Etymology The word slight comes from the Old English word sliht which means simple

  • laconic

    Etymology From Ancient Greek λακωνικός lākōnikós meaning Laconic refe

  • superintendent

    Etymology The word superintendent comes from the Latin words super above and inten

  • destruct

    Etymology Destruct derives from the Latin destruere which means to pull down demo

  • dismantle

    Etymology Old French desmanteler desmantenir Late Latin dismantellare from dis ap

  • sear

    Etymology From Middle English sear from Old English sær from Proto Germanic _saira_