Etymologically
Log in

insequor

Etymology and origin of the Latin word insequor

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Compound
First attested
Cicero
Ultimate origin
Proto-Indo-European (*sekʷ-)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈĩː.sɛ.kʷɔr][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈin.se.kʷor][1]

Forms

īnsequor (present infinitive īnsequī, perfect active īnsecūtus sum or īnsequūtus sum); third conjugation, deponent[1] The third person plural is also written īnsecuntur.[2]

Etymology

It is from in- and sequor “to follow”.[2][1] De Vaan traces sequor to Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- (“to follow, accompany”).[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to follow closely, pursue, as in Horace, and to chase, catch up with, as in Cicero.[2] In Ovid it meant to attack physically, and in Cicero to pursue with verbal attacks, persecute, to follow in time, succeed, and to come next in order.[2] Ovid also used it of following up a course of action.[2]

It survives in Italian inseguire “to chase”.[1] Late Latin insequere gave Old French ensivre and English ensue about 1400, first “to seek after, pursue”.[5]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.[2][4]
  • 65–8 BC – Horace uses it of following closely.[2][4]
  • c. 1400 – English ensue is recorded.[5]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To follow closely, pursue.[2]
  2. To chase; to attack.[2]
  3. To persecute, hound.[2]
  4. To follow, succeed.[2]

Word family

  • insecūtiō
  • insecūtor
  • īnsequēns
  • īnsequenter

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
Cite this entry

“Insequor.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/insequor. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·