Word of the Day

: January 30, 2010

collude

verb kuh-LOOD

What It Means

: conspire, plot

collude in Context

The U.S. District Court has granted class-action status to a complaint that the retailer and manufacturer colluded to keep prices high.

Did You Know?

Our English "lude" words ("allude," "collude," "delude," "elude," and "prelude") are based on the Latin verb "ludere," meaning "to play." "Collude" dates back to 1525 and combines "ludere" and the prefix "col-," meaning "with" or "together." "Collude" is younger than the related noun "collusion," which appeared sometime in the 14th century with the specific meaning "secret agreement or cooperation." Despite their playful history, "collude" and "collusion" have always suggested deceit or trickery rather than good-natured fun.