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commandeer

 - 3 dictionary results

com⋅man⋅deer

[kom-uhn-deer]
–verb (used with object)
1. to order or force into active military service.
2. to seize (private property) for military or other public use: The police officer commandeered a taxi and took off after the getaway car.
3. to seize arbitrarily.

Origin:
1880–85; < Afrik kommandeer < F commander to command
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To commandeer
com·man·deer   (kŏm'ən-dîr')   
tr.v.   com·man·deered, com·man·deer·ing, com·man·deers
  1. To force into military service.

  2. To seize for military use; confiscate.

  3. To take arbitrarily or by force. See Synonyms at appropriate.


[Afrikaans kommandeer, from French commander, to command, from Old French comander; see command.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

commandeer 
1881, from Du. (esp. Afrikaans) kommandeeren "to command" (for military service), from Fr. commander (see command).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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