ensue

Where does the word "ensue" come from? It comes from Latin sequi, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1400s).

Ensue’s story begins in Latin: sequi meant “to follow.” To follow, combined with in- (toward). Within Latin, it grew into insequi by ancient. To follow after, to pursue, from in- and sequi. From there it passed into Old French as ensuivre by medieval. Carried into French for happening as a result of something. It reached English by 1400s as ensue. Settled as the English word for happening afterward as a result. Today, ensue means to happen afterward, especially as a result of something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sequi "to follow", to follow, combined with in- (toward).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient insequi "to follow after, to pursue", to follow after, to pursue, from in- and sequi.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval ensuivre "to happen as a result of something", carried into French for happening as a result of something.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1400s ensue "to happen afterward, especially as a result", settled as the English word for happening afterward as a result.