Entrust

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈtɹʌst/

Definitions

1. To give someone the responsibility of taking care of or managing something important or valuable
2. To assign the duty of safeguarding or overseeing something significant or treasured to another individual
3. To place the responsibility for the care or management of a vital or precious item in the hands of someone else

Etymology: The verb emerged in English around the late 16th century, formed by combining the prefix "en-" with the noun "trust." The prefix "en-" serves to create verbs that mean "to cause to be" or "to put into a state," so in this case, it adds the sense of placing someone into a condition of trusting or reliance. The base word "trust" comes from Old Norse "traust," meaning "help, confidence, protection," which filtered into English in the Middle Ages. Over time, "trust" developed the abstract sense of confidence in someone's honesty or reliability. By adding "en-," the verb took on the meaning of confiding something valuable or important to another's care or responsibility. Originally, "entrust" carried a formal sense of conferring a duty or possession to someone deemed trustworthy. The action implied a transfer of responsibility, often with an expectation of safekeeping or careful management. The word neatly encapsulates the relational aspect of trust, transforming a state of belief into an active delegation. Though straightforward in its formation, this verb highlights how English often expands vocabulary by layering a simple, vivid base with an affix that shifts the word from noun to verb, emphasizing action and agency in human interactions.

Synonyms: assign, delegate, commit

Antonyms: retain, withhold