Drive
/draɪv/noun
To operate and control the movement of a vehicle, or to propel something forward.
Did you know?Drive descends from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning “to drive, draw along,” the same ancient force behind words for pulling, dragging, and even certain forms of “drawing” motion in other languages.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dhrew-
“to draw, pull, or drag along”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*drībaną
“to drive, push onward, or herd”
Old English
English
drīfan
“to drive, pursue, or expel”
Middle English
English
drive(n)
“to drive, force, or urge forward”
Modern English
English
drive
“to operate and guide a vehicle, or to propel something forward”