Definition of the word push aside

The origin of the phrase "push aside" can be traced back to Middle English around the 1300s when it was spelled as "pusen aseide" or "pusen asoide" meaning "press to the side" or "push away". This phrase evolved from the Old English term "pesan" which meant "to push" or "to thrust". The word "aside" in this context originally meant "to one side" or "close to" and was commonly used with the prefix "a-", which denotes proximity or nearness. It is thought that this prefix arose from the Old English term "an" which meant "on" or "near". Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the phrase have changed, but the meaning has remained consistent. In modern English, "push aside" is defined as "to move or force (someone or something) aside" or "to remove or discard (something) quickly and forcefully". Examples of its current use include, "He pushed aside the concerns of his constituents to push through his own agenda" or "She pushed aside the pasta dish to go for the creamy risotto instead". In summary, the origin of "push aside" can be traced back to its Middle English roots, where it meant "push to the side" with the addition of "aside" denoting proximity. The phrase and its meaning have evolved over time to reflect common usage in modern English.