commandeer

verb — 4 senses

commandeer

verb

/kɒmənˈdɪə(ɹ)/

Etymology First attested in the late 19th century. From Dutch commanderen (“to command”), partially through its descendant, Afrikaans kommandeer (“to command”). Ultimately from French commander, from Old French comander, from Latin commendare. Doublet of command.

1

To seize for military use.

2

To force into military service.

3

To take arbitrarily or by force.

4

Broadly To take or use for some purpose (not necessarily arbitrarily or by force).

  • "We're stuck taking the bus to school tomorrow, aren't we?" "...Yeah. Moperville South doesn't give bus service out here, so Ellen's commandeering my car."2007 February 5, Dan Shive, El Goonish Shive (webcomic), Comic for Monday, Feb 5, 2007:
Derived terms
commandeerer
Related terms
appropriate, call up

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.

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