subvert

Where does the word "subvert" come from? It comes from Latin subvertere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Subvert’s story begins in Latin: subvertere meant “to overthrow, to turn from beneath.” To turn from beneath, to overthrow, from sub- (from below) and vertere (to turn). It reached English by 1300s as subvert. Settled as the English word for undermining or overthrowing something established. Today, subvert means to undermine the power and authority of an established system or institution.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient subvertere "to overthrow, to turn from beneath", to turn from beneath, to overthrow, from sub- (from below) and vertere (to turn).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s subvert "to undermine or overthrow an established system", settled as the English word for undermining or overthrowing something established.