Etymologically
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musical

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈmjuː.zɪ.kəl/[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English musical, borrowed from Middle French musical,[2][3] from Medieval Latin mūsicālis,[4][2] from Latin mūsica “music”,[4][2] from Greek mousikḗ “art of the Muses”.[4] It is related to music and muse.[2][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Of or belonging to music: about 1420 in the OED, the early 15th century in Etymonline.[5][4] Fond of or skilled in music is also about 1420 in the OED, the late 15th century in Etymonline.[5][4]

Semantic evolution

Tuneful or harmonious is from about 1430, the mid-15th century in Etymonline.[5][4] Of or pertaining to the Muses is from 1490 and is obsolete.[5] Set to or accompanied by music is from 1685.[5] Musical box is from 1829, and musical chairs from 1862;[4] from the game came musical meaning “passing quickly from one holder to another” (1924).[4] The noun first meant a musical instrument (about 1500) and a musical performance (1570s);[4] the modern noun, a play or film with songs, is from 1937, short for musical comedy (1781) or musical play.[4][2]

Timeline

  • c. 1420 – of music; skilled in music.[5]
  • c. 1430 – tuneful.[5]
  • 1685 – set to music.[5]
  • 1781 – musical comedy.[4]
  • 1829 – musical box.[4]
  • 1862 – musical chairs.[4]
  • 1937 – noun, a musical show.[4]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Relating to or containing music.
  2. Good at playing or fond of music.
  3. Pleasant to listen to, like music; melodious.

Noun

  1. A play or film in which singing and dancing are an important part of the story.

Word family

  • musically
  • musicality
  • antimusical
  • extramusical
  • musicalise
  • musicalize
  • nonmusical
  • premusical

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 Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  3. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press