Conduce

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /kənˈdjuːs/

Definitions

1. To lead toward or contribute to a particular result or outcome
2. To produce conditions that support a specific outcome
3. To act in a way that contributes positively to achieving a certain effect

Etymology: Medieval surgeons used "conducen" in a very physical sense: to draw together the edges of a wound, or to set a broken bone. The verb had a leading role in that hands-on work long before anyone applied it to outcomes. Its Latin source, "condūcere," meant to bring or draw things together, and it could also mean to be of use, which is the sense that eventually won out in English. The word is built from "con-," a prefix denoting a bringing together, and "dūcere," to lead or guide. That same Latin stem gave English "conduct" and "conn," which are doublets of "conduce," meaning they descend from the same root but reached English by different routes. The shared ancestry is visible in each: all three involve leading something along a path. The shift from pulling tissue together to contributing toward a result took place within Latin itself. Once a thing was useful in bringing something about, it was said to conduce to that end, and English inherited that extended sense.

Synonyms: lead, contribute, assist, facilitate, promote

Antonyms: hinder, obstruct, impede, deter, block