To continue doing something after stopping, or to move forward to the next step. It can also mean to go in a particular direction.
From Latin *procedere* meaning 'to go forward', from *pro-* 'forward' and *cedere* 'to go'. It came into English via Old French *proceder*.
When an announcement says 'You may now proceed', it’s literally giving you permission to move forward. In legal and formal speech, 'proceed' sounds more official than 'go on', even though they mean almost the same thing. The formality of the word itself can control people’s behavior.
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