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DictionaryRoot: capere
Latin

capere

take, hold, seize

Forms

  • cap-
  • capt- — Latin stem of the form meaning ‘taken.’
  • -cip- — Latin stem used in compounds.
  • -cept- — Stem of the form meaning ‘taken’ in Latin compounds.
  • -ceive — Developed through French in verbs borrowed into English.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *kap-, ‘grasp.’

Note

Taking something into the mind was already a Latin metaphor.

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An experienced clinical instructor demonstrates suturing on a silicone practice pad while a trainee watches closely and practices the same technique on a second pad.
noun

preceptor

prih-SEP-ter/prɪˈsɛptər/

A person who teaches or supervises a learner.

Etymology
preLatinbefore, in front of
+ceptLatintake, hold, seize
+orLatina person or thing that acts

The “take beforehand” combination also meant “give rules” or “advise”; the agent ending makes this the person giving instruction. The teacher sense also covers a physician who gives students practical training.

Full entry

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