To give in to pressure or temptation; to finally lose a battle against something (like illness); to surrender or collapse under pressure.
From Latin 'succumbere' (to lie under), composed of 'sub-' (under) and 'cumbere' (to lie down). The word originally meant literally lying down under weight or pressure.
The Latin root 'cumbere' shows up in 'encumber' (to burden) and 'incumbent' (lying upon)—all come from the image of weight pressing you down. 'Succumbed' literally means something pushed you down so hard you ended up lying under it.
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