What is the root word of Connect?

Let’s Connect the Dots: The Real Story Behind “Connect”

Ever stop to wonder where words really come from? Take “connect,” for instance. We use it all the time, but its story stretches way back in time, and it’s more interesting than you might think.

The word “connect” comes directly from the Latin verb conectere. What does that mean? Well, it meant “to join together,” “to bind,” or even “to fasten” something. Think of it like tying two ropes together – that’s the basic idea. This Latin version popped up around the mid-15th century, and it didn’t take long to catch on in English.

But here’s where it gets cool. Conectere isn’t a one-hit-wonder. It’s actually made up of two parts: com- which basically means “together,” and nectere, which means “to bind or tie”. So, when you break it down, “connect” is all about bringing things together by, well, binding them!

And hold on, we can go back even further! The real OG is the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root *ned-, which also meant “to bind, tie”. This ancient root is like the great-great-grandparent of tons of words, including English words like “knot” and “knit.” It’s kind of mind-blowing how connected (pun intended!) languages are, isn’t it?

Now, here’s a fun fact I stumbled upon: Back in the 16th century, “connect” almost disappeared! It was briefly replaced by “connex,” which came from French and Latin. But “connect” made a comeback around the 1670s, proving that some words are just too good to stay gone.

Of course, the way we use “connect” has changed over time, too. At first, it was mostly about physically joining things. But then, people started using it for relationships and abstract ideas. By 1881, it meant “establishing a relationship”. And later on, it even picked up some slang meanings, like “get in touch with” in the 1920s and “awaken meaningful emotions” in the 1940s. I remember my grandma using it in that way.

So, there you have it. The root word of “connect” is nectere, meaning “to bind or tie,” which goes all the way back to that ancient Proto-Indo-European root *ned-. Next time you use the word “connect,” remember its long and winding journey through history. It’s a small word with a surprisingly big story to tell!