v., -quered, -quer·ing, -quers. v.tr.
- To defeat or subdue by force, especially by force of arms.
- To gain or secure control of by or as if by force of arms: scientists battling to conquer disease; a singer who conquered the operatic world.
- To overcome or surmount by physical, mental, or moral force: I finally conquered my fear of heights. See synonyms at defeat.
To be victorious; win.
[Middle English conqueren, from Old French conquerre, from Vulgar Latin *conquaerere, from Latin conquīrere, to procure : com-, intensive pref.; see com- + quaerere, to seek.]
conquerable con'quer·a·ble adj.conqueror con'quer·or or con'quer·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
