Etymologically
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exclusive

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɪkˈskluː.sɪv/[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Medieval Latin exclūsīvus,[2][3][4] from exclūs-, past participle stem of Latin exclūdere “to shut out”,[2][3] the source of exclude.[2] Merriam-Webster takes it through Middle French exclusif.[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Adverbially, so as to exclude: the mid-15th century in Etymonline,[2] 1515 in the OED and Merriam-Webster.[6][5] As a noun, something that excludes: the late 15th century in NODE and SOED.[3][4] The adjective, that excludes: the 1560s in Etymonline, 1570 in the OED.[2][6]

Semantic evolution

Excluding others from participation is from 1670,[6] and of monopolies, rights and franchises from the 1760s.[2] In the 18th and early 19th centuries exclusive of was often used where we would now say inclusive of.[6] Of social circles and clubs, unwilling to admit outsiders, it is from 1822.[2] As a noun, an exclusive news item is from the early 20th century.[4] Catering to a wealthy clientele, as of shops or hotels, is a later sense.[7][8]

Timeline

  • 1515 – so as to exclude.[6][5]
  • 1570 – having the power to exclude.[6]
  • 1670 – excluding others.[6]
  • 1760s – of rights and monopolies.[2]
  • 1822 – of social circles.[2]
  • early 20th century – noun, an exclusive news story.[4]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Not shared with others: exclusive rights.
  2. Restricted to a select group; catering to the wealthy: an exclusive club.
  3. Single or sole; complete: her exclusive attention.
  4. exclusive of: not including.
  5. Unable to exist together; incompatible: mutually exclusive.

Noun

  1. A news story published or broadcast by only one newspaper or broadcaster.
  2. An exclusive right, as to sell a product.

Word family

  • exclusively
  • exclusiveness
  • exclusivism
  • exclusivity
  • ultraexclusive
  • unexclusive
  • exclusive disjunction
  • exclusive economic zone

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  4. ^ a b c d Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  5. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
  8. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins