entry
congregate
/ˈkɒŋ.ɡɹə.ɡeɪt/gather together into one place or group
From Latin con- (together) + Latin greg- / grex (flock).
from Latin congregatus, past participle of congregare "to herd together, collect in a flock, swarm; assemble,"
+1 more sourcefrom Latin congregatus, past participle of congregare "to herd together, collect in a flock, swarm; assemble,"
+1 more sourcefrom Latin congregatus, past participle of congregare "to herd together, collect in a flock, swarm; assemble,"
+1 more sourcefrom Middle English congregat(e) (“(of people) banded together; (of liquids) accumulated; (of muscles) contracted; (of...
Word Ancestry
from Latin congregatus, past participle of congregare "to herd together, collect in a flock, swarm; assemble,"
+1 more sourcefrom Latin congregatus, past participle of congregare "to herd together, collect in a flock, swarm; assemble,"
+1 more sourcefrom Latin congregatus, past participle of congregare "to herd together, collect in a flock, swarm; assemble,"
+1 more sourcefrom Middle English congregat(e) (“(of people) banded together; (of liquids) accumulated; (of muscles) contracted; (of...
Picture a Roman shepherd pushing one more sheep into the flock: that physical act is hiding inside congregate. Latin con- meant “together,” while grex meant “flock,” producing congregare, “to flock together”; its past participle congregatus entered Middle English around 1400. The same flock-word later produced gregarious, describing a person who enjoys company, while egregious originally meant something that stood “out of the flock”—and therefore exceptional, before its meaning took a spectacularly negative turn. English first used congregate for fluids accumulating in the body, then for people assembling, with the verb established by the 1510s. Whenever a crowd gathers, the ancient Roman flock is still quietly being counted.
The Story
Picture a Roman shepherd pushing one more sheep into the flock: that physical act is hiding inside congregate. Latin con- meant “together,” while grex meant “flock,” producing congregare, “to flock together”; its past participle congregatus entered Middle English around 1400. The same flock-word later produced gregarious, describing a person who enjoys company, while egregious originally meant something that stood “out of the flock”—and therefore exceptional, before its meaning took a spectacularly negative turn. English first used congregate for fluids accumulating in the body, then for people assembling, with the verb established by the 1510s. Whenever a crowd gathers, the ancient Roman flock is still quietly being counted.
Modern Usage
To gather, sometimes used humorously for assembling to do something.
Notable References
- Urban Dictionary entry using “New crystal gems, congregate!”
Kin & Kindred
From 'con-'·together, with
Derived Terms
English words from this root
From 'greg- / grex'·flock, herd; gathering
Derived Terms
English words from this root
Sources
Etymonline
Free Dictionary
Urban Dictionary