negotiate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To discuss something with others in order to reach an agreement.

   The two sides met to negotiate a peace deal.

2. 2
   verb

   To arrange or settle something through discussion.

   We negotiated the contract to everyone's satisfaction.

3. 3
   verb

   To get past or deal successfully with a difficult or dangerous obstacle.

   The driver carefully negotiated the narrow mountain road.

Simplified etymology

Negotiate entered English in the early 16th century from Latin negotiari. That verb was formed from neg-, “not,” and otium, “leisure,” expressing the idea of being occupied with business rather than at leisure.

c. 1598; borrowed from Latin negōtiātus, perfect active participle of negōtior (“to do business, trade”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from negotium (“business”) + -or, from nec (“not”) + otium (“leisure, ease, inactivity”).

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