Accede

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /əkˈsiːd/

Definitions

1. To agree or consent to a request, demand, or proposal, often after initial reluctance or hesitation
2. To yield to a particular opinion, request, or authority, especially after a period of contemplation or reluctance
3. To formally accept or agree to conditions, proposals, or demands, typically following negotiation or pressure

Etymology: "Accede" is a Latin verb in its making: "accēdō" meant "approach" or "go toward," built from "ad" ("to, toward") and "cēdō" ("move, yield"). The physical sense of drawing near came first, and the idea of yielding to a request grew from the notion of moving toward someone or something and giving way to them. English borrowed the word in the early 15th century, through Middle English "acceden," with the sense of approaching or coming to a place still in view. The modern meaning of formally agreeing to terms, often after pressure or negotiation, developed from that same movement of yielding. Despite looking like "ascend," the word has no real connection to it. The two share only the prefix "ad-," which is common in Latin and shows up in many unrelated English words. "Accede" is actually a close relative of "cede," which also comes from "cēdō."

Synonyms: agree, consent, assent

Antonyms: reject, refuse