follow的词源

英文词源

follow

follow: [OE] Follow is a widespread Germanic verb (German has folgen, for instance, Dutch volgen, Swedish följa, and Danish følge, pointing to a prehistoric West and North Germanic *flug-), but its ultimate origins are not known

follow (v.)

Middle English folwen, from Old English folgian, fylgian, fylgan "to accompany (especially as a disciple), move in the same direction as; follow after, pursue, move behind in the same direction," also "obey (a rule or law), conform to, act in accordance with; apply oneself to (a practice, trade, or calling)," from Proto-Germanic *fulg- (cognates: Old Saxon folgon, Old Frisian folgia, Middle Dutch volghen, Dutch volgen, Old High German folgen, German folgen, Old Norse fylgja "to follow"). Probably originally a compound, *full-gan, with a sense of "full-going," the sense then shifting to "serve, go with as an attendant" (compare fulfill). Related: Followed; following.

Sense of "accept as leader or guide, obey or be subservient to" was in late Old English. Meaning "come after in time" is from c. 1200; meaning "to result from" (as effect from cause) is from c. 1200. Meaning "to keep up with mentally, comprehend" is from 1690s. Intransitive sense "come or go behind" is from mid-13c. To follow one's nose "go straight on" first attested 1590s. "The full phrase is, 'Follow your nose, and you are sure to go straight.' " [Farmer]. The children's game follow my leader is attested by that name from 1812 (as follow the leader by 1896).

中文词源

follow：跟随

来自Proto-Germanic*fulg, 陪伴，跟随，词源同full. 部分学者解释*g来自*gan, 走，词源同gang. 即跟着走的人，随从。

该词的英语词源请访问趣词词源英文版：follow 词源，follow 含义。

follow：跟随，接着；领会；沿着…前进，遵循；是…的必然结果

来源于史前西日耳曼语或北日耳曼语flug-,在德语中为folgen。