To occupy



Example: The army occupied the city during the war.

Definition


"To occupy" means to take control or possession of a place, often by force or military presence, and to hold it for a period of time. For example, an army may occupy a city during wartime to establish dominance and control over the area.

Etymology


The word "to occupy" comes from the Latin verb 'occupare,' which means 'to seize or take possession.' It entered English in the late Middle Ages, carrying the sense of taking control or residence. Did you know that 'occupy' originally implied physically holding a place, which is still reflected in its modern usage?

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"To occupy" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - History - (B1) - set 1", containing 204 commonly used words.
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