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1530s, from Latin secessionem (nominative secessio) “a withdrawal, separation; political withdrawal, insurrection, schism,” noun of action from past participle stem of secedere “go away, withdraw, separate; rebel, revolt,” from se- “apart” (see secret (n.)) + cedere “to go” (from PIE root *ked- “to go, yield”). Originally in a Roman historical context, “temporary migration of plebeians from the city to compel patricians to address their grievances;” modern use in reference to religious or political unions dates from 1650s.

1914, “to divide into small and mutually hostile groups,” as was the political condition of the Balkans; it is said to have been coined by English editor James Louis Garvin, but A.J. Toynbee (1922) credited it to “German Socialists” describing the results of the treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Either way, the reference is to the political situation in the Balkans c. 1878-1913, when the European section of the Ottoman Empire split up into small, warring nations. Balkanized and Balkanization both also are from 1920.

1540s, “confident, intrepid, daring,” from Middle French audacieux, from audace “boldness,” from Latin audacia “daring, boldness, courage,” from audax “brave, bold, daring,” but more often “bold” in a bad sense, “rash, foolhardy,” from audere “to dare, be bold.” In English, the bad sense of “shameless, unrestrained by propriety” is attested from 1590s. Related: Audaciously; audaciousness.

“unjust wicked,” 1670s, from iniquity + -ous. Earlier were iniquous (1650s, from Latin iniquus) and inique (1520s, from French inique). Related: Iniquitously; iniquitousness.

early 15c., “to guide, accompany and show the way,” from Latin conductus, past participle of conducere “to lead or bring together; contribute, serve,” from assimilated form of com “with, together” (see con-) + ducere “to lead” (from PIE root *deuk- “to lead”).

Sense of “to lead, command, direct, manage” is from mid-15c., originally military. General meaning “to direct, manage, act as leader of” is from 1630s; especially of a musical performance (1791).

Meaning “behave in a certain way” is from 1710. In physics, “to carry, convey, transmit,” 1740. Related: Conducted; conducting. An earlier verb in the same sense was condyten (c. 1400), which goes with conduit.

To conduct is to lead along, hence to attend with personal supervision; it implies the determination of the main features of administration and the securing of thoroughness in those who carry out the commands; it is used of both large things and small, but generally refers to a definite task, coming to an end or issue: as, to conduct a religious service, a funeral, a campaign. [Century Dictionary]

late 14c., “cruel or unjust use of power; the government of a tyrant,” from Old French tyranie (13c.), from Late Latin tyrannia “tyranny,” from Greek tyrannia “rule of a tyrant, absolute power,” from tyrannos “master” (see tyrant).

c. 1300, “introduce (someone or something) formally or ceremonially;” also “make a formal presentation of; give as a gift or award; bestow,” from Old French presenter (11c., Modern French présenter) and directly from Latin praesentare “to place before, show, exhibit,” from stem of praesens (see present (adj.)). From late 14c. as “exhibit (something), offer for inspection, display;” also, in law, “make a formal complaint or charge of wrongdoing.” From c. 1400 as”represent, portray.” Related: Presented; presenting.

“act of presenting,” c. 1300, from Old French presentement “presentation (of a person) at a ceremony” (12c.), from presenter (see present (v.)).