conquer

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word conquer. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word conquer, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say conquer in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word conquer you have here. The definition of the word conquer will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofconquer, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English conqueren, from Old French conquerre, from Late Latin conquaerere (to knock, strike; to search for, procure), from Latin con- + quaerere (to seek, acquire). Displaced native Old English oferwinnan.

Pronunciation

Verb

conquer (third-person singular simple present conquers, present participle conquering, simple past and past participle conquered)

  1. To defeat in combat; to subjugate.
  2. To acquire by force of arms, win in war; to become ruler of; to subjugate.
    In 1453, the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople.
    • 1594, , Venus and Adonis, 2nd edition, London: Richard Field, , →OCLC, , lines :
      I haue beene wooed, as I intreat thee now, / Euen by the ſterne, and direfull God of warre, / VVhoſe ſinowie necke in battel nere did bow, / VVho conquers where he comes in euery iarre;
    • 1714, Alexander Pope, Imitation of Horace, Book II. Sat. 6:
      We conquer'd France, but felt our captive's charms.
    • 1912, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Lost World , London; New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC:
      "Look at Clive - just a clerk, and he conquered India!"
    • 1992, Richard Nixon, “The Pacific Triangle”, in Seize the Moment, Simon & Schuster, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 170:
      Taiwan's interests and Hong Kong's political and economic future are best served by close ties between their friends in the West and Beijing. For example, the fact that the PRC must choose between using force to conquer Taiwan and forfeiting its relationship with the United States is the best guarantee of Taipei's security.
  3. To overcome an abstract obstacle.
    Today I conquered my fear of flying by finally boarding a plane.
    to conquer difficulties or temptations
  4. (dated) To gain, win, or obtain by effort.
    to conquer freedom;   to conquer a peace

Conjugation

Conjugation of conquer
infinitive (to) conquer
present tense past tense
1st-person singular conquer conquered
2nd-person singular conquer, conquerest conquered, conqueredst
3rd-person singular conquers, conquereth conquered
plural conquer
subjunctive conquer conquered
imperative conquer
participles conquering conquered

Archaic or obsolete.

Derived terms

Translations

Middle English

Verb

conquer

  1. alternative form of conqueren