conquer
UK: ˈkɒŋkə | US: ˈkɑːŋkər
vt. to overcome or take control of by force (e.g., a territory, enemy, or challenge)
vt. to successfully overcome a difficulty or obstacle
vi. (archaic) to gain victory or supremacy
conquer = con<together, thoroughly> + quer<seek, gain>
- con: A Latin prefix meaning "together" or "thoroughly," often intensifying the root’s action.
- quer: Derived from Latin quaerere ("to seek, gain, or ask"), reflecting the pursuit of control or victory.
Etymology Origin:
The word "conquer" traces back to Old French conquerre, from Latin conquirere ("to seek out, procure by effort"). The prefix con- emphasizes completeness, while -quer embodies the active pursuit of dominance. Over time, the term narrowed to focus on military or strategic victories, retaining its core idea of "thoroughly gaining" through effort.
The army sought to conquer the fortified city.
She worked hard to conquer her fear of public speaking.
Ancient empires often tried to conquer neighboring lands.
Technology has helped humanity conquer many diseases.
The climbers finally conquered the mountain after weeks of effort.