identical

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪˈdɛntɪkl̩/, /aɪˈdɛntɪkl̩/^[1]

Etymology

It is probably formed from Medieval Latin identicus (“the same”) and -al,^[2][3][4] from identitās (“sameness”) (see identity), from idem (“the same”).^[4][3] It replaced Middle English idemptical (about 1475).^[3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

In logic, expressing an identity: 1620 in Barnhart, the 1610s in Etymonline;^[3][4] MWU dates the sense being the same from 1581, and SOED and NODE the late 16th century.^[2][5]

Semantic evolution

Being the same or very similar in general is first recorded before 1633.^[3][6][4] Agreeing exactly in all properties is from 1677.^[6] In geometry, of figures equal and similar, it is from 1806.^[6] Identical twins, from a single fertilized egg, are from 1889.^[6]

Timeline

• c. 1475 – idemptical.^[3]
• 1620 – in logic.^[3]
• before 1633 – the very same.^[3][6]
• 1677 – exactly alike.^[6]
• 1889 – identical twins.^[6]

Modern meaning

Adjective

1. Exactly alike or equal in every detail.
2. Being the very same: the identical room we stayed in.
3. Of twins, developed from a single fertilized egg.

Word family

• identically
• identicalness
• unidentical
• self-identical
• nonidentical
• identical twin

Related words

• identify
• identity
• idem

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
3. ^ a b c d e f g h Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
4. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
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