Etymologically
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rev

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 14:18. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɹɛv/ (UK)[1]

Etymology

It is a shortening of revolution, of an engine or motor.[2][3][4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

A revolution of an engine: 1901 in Barnhart, the OED and Etymonline;[3][6][2] about 1890 in MWU.[4]

Semantic evolution

The rev-counter is from 1917.[6] The verb, to make an engine run fast, especially when not in gear, is from 1916 in Etymonline, 1918 in MWU and 1920 in the OED and Barnhart,[2][4][6][3] and of the engine itself running quickly from 1923.[6] Revved-up, figuratively excited, is from 1931.[6] To make livelier or more productive, rev up, is a further figurative sense.[7]

Timeline

  • 1901 – a revolution of an engine.[3]
  • 1916 – the verb.[2]
  • 1917 – rev-counter.[6]
  • 1931 – revved-up.[6]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. (informal) A revolution of an engine, or (revs) revolutions per minute.

Verb

  1. To increase the speed of an engine.
  2. (rev up) To make livelier, or to accelerate.

Usage notes

Rev. with a capital is also the abbreviation of Reverend and of the book of Revelation.[8]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c d Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  4. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  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
  7. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
  8. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins