Word Origins •
The notion of ‘bringing in close proximity’ is present in adjust. The source was the obsolete French verb adjuster, from Old French ajoster ‘to approximate’, based on Latin ad– ‘to’ and juxta ‘near’, source of words such as joust (Middle English) originally to ‘bring near to join battle’ and juxtapose (mid 19th century) ‘place near’. —Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins |
Don‘t assume that adjust is formed by adding the prefix ad– to the word just; these two words should come from different roots, though, according to some sources, adjust might be influenced in form and sense by folk-etymology, as if from ad– + iustus ‘just, equitable, fair‘.
adjust

jostle

joust

just

Adjust ultimately comes from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning ‘to join‘, also the ultimate source of join, junction, yoga, and more.
Word Formation Resource •
4 Points
adjustable, adjustment, maladjusted, maladjustment, readjust, readjustment, unadjusted, well-adjusted
Premium Content
Sign in to access this content.Premium Content
Sign in to access this content.
Show Comments