follow: [OE] Follow is a widespread Germanic verb (German has folgen, for instance, Dutch volgen, Swedish följa, and Danish følge, pointing to a prehistoric West and North Germanic *flug-), but its ultimate origins are not known
follow (v.)
Middle English folwen, from Old English folgian, fylgian, fylgan "to accompany (especially as a disciple), move in the same direction as; follow after, pursue, move behind in the same direction," also "obey (a rule or law), conform to, act in accordance with; apply oneself to (a practice, trade, or calling)," from Proto-Germanic *fulg- (cognates: Old Saxon folgon, Old Frisian folgia, Middle Dutch volghen, Dutch volgen, Old High German folgen, German folgen, Old Norse fylgja "to follow"). Probably originally a compound, *full-gan, with a sense of "full-going," the sense then shifting to "serve, go with as an attendant" (compare fulfill). Related: Followed; following.
Sense of "accept as leader or guide, obey or be subservient to" was in late Old English. Meaning "come after in time" is from c. 1200; meaning "to result from" (as effect from cause) is from c. 1200. Meaning "to keep up with mentally, comprehend" is from 1690s. Intransitive sense "come or go behind" is from mid-13c. To follow one's nose "go straight on" first attested 1590s. "The full phrase is, 'Follow your nose, and you are sure to go straight.' " [Farmer]. The children's game follow my leader is attested by that name from 1812 (as follow the leader by 1896).
实用例句
1. "Wait there!" Kathryn rose. "No, on second thought, follow me."
“在那儿等着！”凯瑟琳站起身来，“不，我改主意了。跟我来。”
来自柯林斯例句
2. He wants companies to follow the European model of social responsibility.
他希望各公司能够以欧洲公司为榜样，承担社会责任。
来自柯林斯例句
3. He decided on roast chicken and vegetables, with apple pie to follow.
他决定点烤鸡配蔬菜，然后再要一份苹果派。
来自柯林斯例句
4. A debriefing would follow this operation, to determine where it went wrong.
