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subsequor

Etymology and origin of the Latin word subsequor

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Plautus
Ultimate origin
Latin (sequor)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈsʊp.sɛ.kʷɔr][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈsub.se.kʷor][1]

Forms

subsequor (present infinitive subsequī, perfect active subsecūtus sum or subsequūtus sum); third conjugation, deponent[1]

Etymology

It is from sub- “close under, after” and sequor “to follow”.[2][1][3] An inscription and editors of Plautus have ⟨sups-⟩.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, who has subsequor tē “I follow you”.[2][4] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant to follow close behind, as in Plautus and Caesar's following the standards, in Livy to pursue closely, and in Cicero to come just after.[2][6] From Caesar it meant to follow next in time or sequence, in Lucretius as a consequence, and in Columella in order of merit.[2] In Cicero it meant to succeed someone in a course of action, to follow a tendency, to bear out, and to follow someone's example.[2] In Suetonius it meant to follow a track.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to follow, follow after.[7] It survives in Italian susseguire, and its present participle gave English subsequent in the mid-15th century.[1][3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of following close.[2][5]
  • c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of following next.[2][5]
  • 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of a consequence.[2][5]
  • mid-15th century – English subsequent is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To follow close behind; to pursue; to come just after.[2]
  2. To follow next; to follow as a consequence; to rank next.[2]
  3. To succeed (someone in an activity).[2]
  4. To follow (a track, a course); to bear out.[2]
  5. To follow the example of.[2]

Word family

  • subsequēns
  • subsequenter
  • subsequium

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 l m n o Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
Cite this entry

“Subsequor.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/subsequor. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·