succeed English · revision 6176

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1375|origins=la cēdere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /səkˈsiːd/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English succeden, [[bor|fro|succeder|t=to follow on]] and directly [[bor|la|succēdere|t=to come after, go near to; to go up; to prosper]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|la|sub-|t=up, near, after]] and [[m|la|cēdere|t=to go, yield]] (see [[cede]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from PIE [[ine-pro|*ked-|t=to go, yield]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To come next after and take the place of another: 1375, in Barbour's ''The Bruce''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) Etymonline also has it of being heir or successor to someone, or chosen for a position, in the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The Latin verb also meant to go up from under, and hence to get on well, prosper or be victorious.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) To follow in the course of events is from the 15th century,^(Hoad 1986) and to have a certain outcome, now always a fortunate one, also from the 15th, before 1475 in Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) To attain a desired end is from the 16th century.^(Hoad 1986) To fall heir to or inherit is from 1490 but obsolete,^(OED 1989) and to follow by imitating from 1577.^(OED 1989) In Scots, succeed once also meant to cause to prosper.^(Wright 1898) [[success|alt=Success]] at first meant any result, good or bad (16th century).^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1375 – to come next after, in Barbour.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 15th century – to follow in the course of events.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * before 1475 – to turn out well.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1503–4 – to follow as heir or successor.^(OED 1989)

+ * 16th century – to attain one's aim.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To achieve what one has aimed for; to be successful.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of a plan or attempt, to turn out as desired.^(Collins 2023)

+ # To come next after another in time or order; to [[follow]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To take someone's place in an office or position, especially as [[heir]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[succedent]]

+ * [[succeeder]]

+ * [[succeedable]]

+ * [[unsucceeded]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[success]]

+ * [[succession]]

+ * [[successive]]

+ * [[successor]]

+ * [[cede]]

+ * [[proceed]]

+ * [[exceed]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}