Furthers

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Supports or encourages the progress of a cause or aim ; helps advance or develop an aspect or project
2. Acts to promote an interest or objective ; facilitates growth or improvement in a given area
3. Contributes to pushing forward a purpose or plan ; aids in the enhancement or expansion of something

Etymology: "Furthers" is the third-person singular present of "further," used as a verb meaning to help something move forward. The verb grew from the adverb, and the adverb itself began life as a comparative: "further" is an older form of "forth" with a comparative ending attached, so the word has been pointing onward since before English existed as a separate language. The comparative ending is the surprising part. The root is the Old English "forþor" or "furþor," from a Proto-West Germanic form, and it is linked to the Proto-Indo-European root "per-," a common preposition meaning something like "forward" or "through." Scholars analyse the word as "fore" plus "-ther," a vestigial comparative ending that survives in "other," "either," and "whether." Some accounts instead treat it as "forth" plus "-er," which gives the same sense of going further along a path. Its close relatives in other languages tell the same story. Dutch "verder," German "fürder," and Scots "forder" all mean "further," showing that the word once belonged to the shared Germanic stock before English went its own way.

Synonyms: advances, promotes, enhances, propels, drives

Antonyms: hinders, impedes