'Sequel' is Latin for 'a following' — from 'sequi' (to follow). Kin to 'sequence' and 'consequence.'
A published, broadcast, or recorded work that continues the story of an earlier one; something that takes place after or as a result of an earlier event.
From Old French 'sequelle' and Medieval Latin 'sequēla' (that which follows, a consequence, a train of followers), from Latin 'sequī' (to follow, to come after, to pursue), from PIE *sekʷ- (to follow, to accompany). This root organised much of Latin's vocabulary of succession: 'sequī' generated 'secta' (a following, a school of thought — 'sect'), 'sequentia' (sequence), 'consequī' (to follow together — 'consequence'), 'exsequī' (to follow out — 'execute'), 'obsequium' (compliance — 'obsequious'), 'persecūtiō' (a following through — 'persecution'), and 'socius' (companion, one who follows — 'social,' 'associate'). The same
The word 'second' (as in second place) comes from the same root: Latin 'secundus' means 'following' — the second item is the one that follows the first. So 'sequel' and 'second' are cognates, both meaning 'that which follows.' Even 'sue' is from the same root: to sue someone is to follow them (into
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