survive

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

Survive’s story begins in Latin: vivere meant “to live.” To live, combined with super- (over, beyond). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as supervivere. To live beyond, to outlive, from super- (beyond) and vivere (to live). From there it passed into Old French as survivre by medieval. Carried into French for continuing to live after an event. It reached English by 1400s as survive. Settled as the English word for continuing to live despite hardship or danger. Today, survive means to continue living or existing despite hardship, danger, or difficulty.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient vivere "to live", to live, combined with super- (over, beyond).
2. Stage 2 · Late Latin · medieval supervivere "to live beyond, to outlive", to live beyond, to outlive, from super- (beyond) and vivere (to live).
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval survivre "to continue to live after an event", carried into French for continuing to live after an event.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1400s survive "to continue to live despite hardship or danger", settled as the English word for continuing to live despite hardship or danger.