ensue

Etymology

From Old French ensu-, stem of some conjugated forms of ensivre (“follow close upon, come afterward”) (French ensuivre), from Latin īnsequere, from īnsequi (“to pursue, follow, follow after; come next”), from in- (“upon”) (see in-) + sequi (“follow”) (see sequel).

Pronunciation

• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ɛnˈsjʉː/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɪnˈsjuː/, IPA^(key): /ɛnˈsjuː/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ɪnˈsuː/
• Rhymes: -uː

Verb

ensue (third-person singular simple present ensues, present participle ensuing, simple past and past participle ensued)

1. (obsolete, transitive) To follow (a leader, inclination etc.). [15th-17th c.]
   • 1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, IV.ii:

     to ripenesse of mans state they grew: / Then shewing forth signes of their fathers blood, / They loued armes, and knighthood did ensew, / Seeking aduentures [...].

   • Golding

     To ensue his example in doing the like mischief.

2. (obsolete, transitive) To follow (in time), to be subsequent to. [15th-17th c.]
   • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, III.11:

     Oh how many changes are like to ensue this reformation!

3. (intransitive) To occur afterwards, as a result or effect. [from 16th c.]

   Give three freshmen six bottles of wine, and hilarity will ensue.

Anagrams

• seuen, unsee