Definition of draw up

The origin of the phrase "draw up" can be traced back to Middle English, around the 14th century. The word "draw" originated from the Old English word "draggan," which means "to drag," "to pull," or "to draw." At the time, this word was most commonly used in the context of agriculture, particularly referring to the act of drawing plows through the soil. The term "up" is an Old English word that means "higher" or "elevated." It was often used to describe the act of lifting or raising something, such as a load or a vessel. When these two words were combined, "draw up" came to mean "to pull or bring something closer, towards a higher position, or in a vertical direction." This use of the phrase later evolved to mean "create," "prepare," or "compose" something, as in "draw up a contract," "draw up a plan," or "draw up an argument." Thus, "draw up" initially referred to agricultural tasks, but as the language evolved, it came to take on a broader meaning, reflecting its present-day usage.