Word Study
compete
CIDE DICTIONARY
compete, v. i. [L. completere, competitum; com- + petere to seek. See Petition.].
To contend emulously; to seek or strive for the same thing, position, or reward for which another is striving; to contend in rivalry, as for a prize or in business; as, tradesmen compete with one another. [1913 Webster]
"The rival statesmen, with eyes fixed on America, were all the while competing for European alliances." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
compete, v.intr.
1 (often foll. by with, against a person, for a thing) strive for superiority or supremacy (competed with his brother; compete against the Russians; compete for the victory).
2 (often foll. by in) take part (in a contest etc.) (competed in the hurdles).
1 (often foll. by with, against a person, for a thing) strive for superiority or supremacy (competed with his brother; compete against the Russians; compete for the victory).
2 (often foll. by in) take part (in a contest etc.) (competed in the hurdles).
Etymology
L competere competit-, in late sense 'strive after or contend for (something)' (as COM-, petere seek)
THESAURUS
compete
antagonize, approach, attempt, battle, beat against, beat up against, breast the wave, buck, buffet, buffet the waves, challenge, clash, close with, collide, combat, compete with, conflict, contend, contend against, contest, cope, dispute, emulate, equal, essay, fence, fight, fight against, grapple with, jockey, join battle with, joust, labor against, match, meet, militate against, offer resistance, outvie, reluct, reluctate, rival, stem the tide, strive, strive against, struggle, struggle against, take on, test one another, touch, try, vie, vie withFor further exploring for "compete" in Webster Dictionary Online
