DictionaryRoot: ad-
Latin

ad-

to, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

Forms

  • ad-
  • ac- — Used before c in Latin.
  • af- — Used before f in Latin.
  • ag- — Used before g in Latin.
  • al- — Used before l in Latin.
  • ap- — Used before p in Latin.
  • ar- — Used before r in Latin.
  • as- — Used before s in Latin.
  • at- — Used before t in Latin.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *ad, ‘to; near.’

Note

Later Latin-based spellings sometimes restored consonants that had disappeared in French.

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noun / adjective

adherent

ad-HEER-unt/ədˈhɪrənt/

Remaining firmly attached to something.

The campaign's adherent applauds the speaker and waves a matching pennant.

An enthusiastic supporter applauds a campaign speaker, wearing the same distinctive emblem displayed on the speaker’s lectern.
Etymology

An adherent is figuratively someone “sticking to” a leader, cause, or belief. Physical clinging supplies the image for loyalty and continued support.

In context

MCC East Bay (Muslim Community Center)34:48
the word Muslim is the title for somebody who's an adherent of the religion so somebody who follows the religion is a Muslim
Speaking for Ourselves: A Panel of Your East Bay Muslim Neighbors

More examples

  • The candidate's adherents gather outside the meeting hall.
  • An adherent layer of clay covers the buried pottery.
  • She remains adherent to the principles she learned as a student.

Forms

adherent · adherents

adherence noun — Firm attachment or faithful observance of something.

Similar words

supporter
More usual for someone favoring a person or cause.
sticky
Describes physical attachment without suggesting commitment to beliefs.