Etymologically
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indeed

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɪnˈdiːd/[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English in dede (“in fact, in truth”),[2][3][4] from the preposition in and deed,[3][5] from Old English dǣd (“a doing, act”).[2][3] It was commonly written separately until about 1600.[3][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

In actual fact, in truth: about 1330 in the OED,[6] the early 14th century in Etymonline,[2] and before 1338 in Barnhart, in Mannyng's Chronicle of England.[3]

Semantic evolution

“In reality”, as opposed to mere appearance, is from 1412–20.[6] Confirming and amplifying a previous statement is from 1535,[6] and the concessive use, “it is true (but …)”, from 1563.[6] The interrogative “Is it so? Really?” is from 1598, in Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor,[3][6] and the interjection of irony, contempt or surprise from 1834.[2][3][6] The emphatic yes indeedy is American English from 1856.[2]

Timeline

  • c. 1330 – in fact, truly.[6]
  • 1535 – confirming a statement.[6]
  • 1563 – concessive use.[6]
  • 1598 – “really?”.[3][6]
  • c. 1600 – written as one word.[2]
  • 1834 – interjection of surprise or contempt.[2][3]
  • 1856 – yes indeedy.[2]

Modern meaning

Adverb

  1. Without doubt; certainly.
  2. In fact; in reality.
  3. Moreover; what is more.

Interjection

  1. Expressing surprise, skepticism or irony.
  • deed
  • do

Usage notes

Scottish and Irish dialect had emphatic phrases such as indeed-an'-doubles.[7]

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 d e f g h i Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  4. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  5. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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)