"Educare" itself is composed of two parts:
* *e-*: A prefix meaning "out" or "from."
* *ducere*: A verb meaning "to lead" or "to bring."
Therefore, "educare" literally means "to lead forth" or "to bring out." The original sense emphasized drawing out inherent potential, rather than simply imparting information. "Education," then, inherited this meaning, referring to the process of developing one's capabilities and facilitating the growth of knowledge, skills, and character.