Evict
/ɪˈvɪkt/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo legally force someone to leave a property.
/ɪˈvɪkt/
To expel someone from a property, especially by legal process.
The court ordered the homeowner to evict the squatters.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're renting an apartment, but you stop paying. The landlord can 'evict' you – that's a fancy word for kicking you out legally. It's like when a bully kicks someone out of a game but with a judge involved.
👶 For kids: To tell someone they have to leave their house, because they didn't follow the rules.
More Examples
Because of the late payments, the landlord was forced to evict the family.
The new owner of the building decided to evict all the current tenants.
How It's Used
"The landlord moved to evict the tenants for nonpayment of rent."
"They were evicted from their apartment after repeated violations of the lease."
To remove something from a place or state.
/ɪˈvɪkt/
To deprive someone of something; to remove.
The new laws evict outdated practices.
💡 Simply: Sometimes 'evict' is used in a more abstract way. Imagine you're trying to be healthy and you 'evict' junk food from your diet—kick it out, get rid of it!
👶 For kids: To take something away.
More Examples
The new software update threatened to evict all the old features.
He had to evict the negative thoughts from his mind.
How It's Used
"The new software updates evicted many old features."
From Latin *ēvictus*, past participle of *ēvincō* ('to conquer, overcome'), from *e-* ('out') + *vincō* ('to conquer'). It originally meant 'to dispossess by legal process'.
The word 'evict' has been used in legal contexts for centuries, evolving with property laws and landlord-tenant relationships. It's roots are in old legal documents.
Memory tip
Think of "eject" and "victory" – when you win a legal battle to remove someone from their place.
Practice
Word Origin
Prefix: e- (out)