Etymology of the English word compete
the English word
competederived from the Late Latin word
competere (be sound, capable, applicable; meet; happen at same time, coincide)
derived from the Classical Latin word
petere (to seek; attack; aim at; desire)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*pet-using the Latin prefix
con- (together)
derived from the Latin prefix
com-derived from the Latin word
cum (with)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*kom (near, with, together)
Date
The earliest known usage of compete in English dates from the 17th century.
Derivations in English
competed,
competingUsage
Word found in Modern English
