Etymologically
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throughout

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /θruˈaʊt/[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English thurhout, throughout,[2][3] late inherited from Old English þurhūt (“completely through”),[3][4] a compound, from English through + out.[3][2][4] It was originally written separately.[4] German durchaus is a similar formation.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

As a preposition, “through and out at the other side, right through”: about 1066,[5] late Old English;[3][4] this sense is now archaic or obsolete.[3]

Semantic evolution

As an adverb, “in every part, everywhere”, it is from the 12th century (about 1175).[3][5] “Through the whole of a space or region” is from about 1205,[5] and “during the whole of a period of time” from about 1200 according to Etymonline[3] or about 1540 according to the OED.[5] In Middle English it could also mean “by means of”, a sense now obsolete.[5] In Lincolnshire dialect it meant “through, on account of”.[6]

Timeline

  • c. 1066 – right through.[5]
  • c. 1175 – adverb, everywhere.[5]
  • c. 1205 – through the whole of a place.[5]
  • a. 1240 – by means of (obsolete).[5]
  • c. 1540 – through the whole of a period.[5]

Modern meaning

Preposition

  1. In or to every part of: throughout the country.
  2. During the whole of: throughout the year.

Adverb

  1. In every part; everywhere.
  2. During the whole time.
  • through
  • out
  • thorough
  • thru

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 Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  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 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
  6. ^ 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)