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what does the root cede mean?

The root -cede comes from Latin and means “to go” or “to yield (give up).”

Core meaning

  • In many English words, -cede/-ceed/-cess carry the idea of movement or giving way: “go,” “move,” or “yield.”
  • That’s why recede means “go back,” precede means “go before,” and concede means “yield or give in.”

How it shows up in words

  • Cede (by itself) means to give control or ownership of something to someone else, often unwillingly, like ceding land after a war.
  • Concede = “yield together/with” → admit or give up a point in an argument or competition.
  • Recede = “go back” → move back or further away.

TL;DR: When you see -cede/-ceed/-cess in a word, think “go” or “yield/give way.”

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