veg
Latinenliven, be lively, grow
About This Root
From Latin vegēre (to enliven, to be lively), with the adjective vegetus (lively, vigorous) and the verb vegetāre (to enliven, make grow). Medieval Latin vegetābilis, 'able to grow,' gave vegetable — first any growing plant, later the edible kind. From it come vegetation, vegetate, vegetarian, vegan and veggie. Despite the look-alike v-, it is not part of viv (vīvere, to live); its real relatives are vigil (vigilant) and vigor, from the closely related Latin verb vigēre.
Associated Words · 8
vegetable
A plant or plant part grown for food; relating to plants
vegetation
All plants in a particular area collectively
vegetarian
A person who does not eat meat; relating to a meat-free diet
veggie
A vegetable; a vegetarian; suitable for vegetarians
vegan
A person who consumes no animal products; relating to veganism
vegetarianism
The practice of eating no meat or fish
vegetate
To live in a dull, inactive way; (of a plant) to grow
vegetated
Covered with vegetation; living a dull, inactive life