veto
UK: ˈviːtəʊ | US: ˈviːtoʊ
n. 1. The power or right to reject a decision or proposal.
n. 2. An official prohibition or rejection of a legislative measure.
vt. To reject or prohibit a decision or proposal authoritatively.
veto = vet<forbid> + o<verb-forming suffix>
- vet (from Latin vetare, meaning "to forbid")
- o (a Latin verb-forming suffix, often used in legal/political contexts)
Etymology Origin:
The word "veto" comes directly from Latin, where it literally means "I forbid." It was used in ancient Rome by tribunes to block Senate decisions. The term retained its authoritative connotation in English, specifically in legal and political contexts, where it signifies the power to reject or prohibit. The simplicity of its structure (verb + suffix) reflects its direct adoption into English without morphological alteration.
The president exercised his veto to block the new bill.
The committee’s veto overturned the proposed policy change.
She threatened to veto any agreement that didn’t meet her demands.
The governor’s veto was overridden by a two-thirds majority.
In the UN Security Council, permanent members hold veto power.