Borrow

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈbɒɹ.əʊ/

Definitions

1. To obtain something temporarily with the intention of returning it to its owner
2. To acquire an item from someone else for a limited time with the agreement to return it later
3. To take possession of a resource or property for a short period, intending to give it back

Etymology: The surprise with "borrow" is that its core sense was once the reverse of today's: the Old English "borgian" meant "to lend, pledge surety for," so the word originally described the person giving the security, not the one taking it. Its modern meaning of taking something temporarily only emerged later, as the direction of the transaction blurred. The root sense is about guarantee and care: the same Germanic stem gave Old English "beorgan," meaning "to save, preserve," which is why the verb sits close to notions of protection and safekeeping. The word has cousins across the Germanic languages. Dutch "borgen," German "borgen," and Danish "borge" all keep the older notion of vouching or trusting, and German and Dutch still use their versions in both lending and borrowing senses. The English word also developed a noun form in Middle English, "borwe" or "borgh," meaning a pledge or surety, which is the older sense of security that the verb grew out of.

Synonyms: take, acquire, obtain, appropriate, secure

Antonyms: lend, give, return, repay, restore