badge

Pronunciation

• IPA: /bæd͡ʒ/^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English bage, bagge,^[2][3][4] perhaps from Anglo-Norman bage (1334) or Anglo-Latin bagis, the plural of bagia, both meaning emblem,^[2][3] all of unknown origin.^[3][2][4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

A distinctive device, emblem or mark, originally a heraldic device or a token worn by servants or followers to show their allegiance: about 1350 in the OED, about 1400 in Etymonline.^[6][3]

Semantic evolution

The verb, to mark with a badge, is from 1380.^[6] Figurative use, a mark or token of anything, is by the 1520s (1529).^[3][6] A badge-man was a licensed beggar who wore a badge (1790).^[6] A different verb badge, to deal as a badger, to hawk provisions, is from 1552.^[6]

Timeline

• c. 1350 – an emblem.^[6]
• 1380 – to badge (verb).^[6]
• 1529 – a token (figurative).^[6]
• 1790 – badge-man.^[6]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. An emblem or device worn to show rank, office, membership or achievement.
2. A characteristic mark or sign: a badge of honour.

Word family

• badgeless
• film badge
• merit badge
• proficiency badge

Related words

• emblem
• insignia
• token

Usage notes

In Oxfordshire a badge was a moth of medium size, and in older Scots a large, ill-shaped bundle.^[7]

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
3. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)