- participate (v.)
- 1530s, back-formation from participation, or else from Latin participatus, past participle of participare "to share, share in, participate in; to impart," from particeps "partaking, sharing," from parti, past participle of partir "to divide" (see part (n.)) + -cip-, weak form of stem of capere "to take" (see capable). Related: Participated; participating.