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DictionaryRoot: dicare
Latin

dicare

declare or dedicate

Forms

  • dicare
  • dicat- — The form used for completed action.

Origin

Related to Latin dicere, “say,” in an older family associated with showing or declaring.

Note

A public declaration could assign something formally to a purpose.

9 / 14
A religious speaker publicly delivers a sermon in a modest church to attentive adults, open book blank-looking, no words or slogans.
verb

preach

PREECH/priːtʃ/

To strongly urge others to follow religious or moral beliefs.

Etymology
preLatinbefore, in front of
+achLatindeclare or dedicate

“Before” plus “proclaim” gives the image of declaring something before others. Public announcement became religious proclamation, and the meaning broadened to earnest advice on moral matters.

Full entry

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