An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Following in order or in uninterrupted sequence; e.g. → method of successive approximations.

Etymology (EN): M.E. from M.L. successivus, from
successus, p.p. of succedere “come after, go near to,” from → sub- “next to, after” + cedere “to go, move.”

Etymology (PE): Peyâpey “successive,” from pey “after; step,” related to pâ “foot” (Mid.Pers. pâd, pây, Av. pad-, Skt. pat, Gk. pos, gen. podos, L. pes, gen. pedis, P.Gmc. *fot, E. foot, Ger. Fuss, Fr. pied; PIE *pod-/*ped-) + -â- epenthetic vowel + pey, as explained.