Etymology
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sequel (n.)

mid-15c., "consequence of an event or action, a corollary; that which follows and forms a continuation," from Old French sequelle, sequele (14c.) and directly from Late Latin sequela "that which follows, result, consequence," from sequi "to follow, come after, follow after, attend, follow naturally" (from PIE root *sekw- (1) "to follow"). 

Specifically "a story that follows and continues another" by 1510s.

Also in Middle English "offspring, issue descendants;" also "train of followers, retinue." Beerbohm uses sequelula "a small sequel" (1912).

Entries linking to sequel

*sekw- (1)

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to follow."

It forms all or part of: associate; association; consequence; consequent; dissociate; ensue; execute; extrinsic; intrinsic; obsequious; persecute; persecution; prosecute; pursue; second (adj.) "next after first;" second (n.) "one-sixtieth of a minute;" sect; secundine; segue; sequacious; sequel; sequence; sequester; sociable; social; society; socio-; subsequent; sue; suit; suite; suitor; tocsin.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit sacate "accompanies, follows;" Avestan hacaiti, Greek hepesthai "to follow;" Latin sequi "to follow, come after," secundus "second, the following;" Lithuanian seku, sekti "to follow;" Old Irish sechim "I follow."

prequel (n.)

"a film, book, etc., portraying events which precede those of an existing film, book, etc.," 1973, from pre- "before," based on sequel (n.).

updated on May 15, 2022

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Definitions of sequel from WordNet

sequel (n.)
something that follows something else;
Synonyms: subsequence
sequel (n.)
a part added to a book or play that continues and extends it;
Synonyms: continuation
From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near sequel

septum

sepulchral

sepulchre

sepulture

sequacious

sequel

sequela

sequence

sequent

sequential

sequester

© 2001-2022 Douglas Harper