Definition of the word insist upon

The phrase "insist upon" stems from the Old French verb insistere, which means "to stand or stay under" or "to persistently request". This verb developed from the Latin insisto, meaning "to press or push against". The Middle English version of this word, "insisten", entered the English language in the late 14th century. It originally carried a similar meaning, meaning "to come or stand against" or "to make persistent requests". As the English language evolved, the syntax of this phrase also changed. In the 15th century, "insist" began to be used as a transitive verb, indicating that an action is being demanded or required. This gave rise to the modern usage, "to insist upon", which indicates the obligatory nature of the request. Thus, the phrase "insist upon" has originated from the Old French and Latin roots for "to press or persistently request", and has evolved over time to convey the idea of demanding something as a necessity.