proceed

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pro·ceed / prəˈsēd; prō-/ • v. [intr.] begin or continue a course of action: we can proceed with our investigation. ∎  [intr.] move forward, esp. after reaching a certain point: the ship could proceed to Milwaukee. ∎  do something as a natural or seemingly inevitable next step: opposite the front door was a staircase, which I proceeded to climb. ∎  Law start a lawsuit against someone: he may still be able to proceed against the contractor under the common law negligence rules. ∎  (of an action) be started: negotiations must proceed without delay. ∎  (of an action) be carried on or continued: as the excavation proceeds, the visible layers can be recorded and studied. ∎  originate from: his claim that all power proceeded from God.ORIGIN: late Middle English: from Old French proceder, from Latin procedere, from pro- ‘forward’ + cedere ‘go.’

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