Etymologically
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waarschijnlijk

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Pronunciation

  • /ʋaːrˈsxɛi̯n.lək/[1]

Forms

waarschijnlijk[1]

Etymology

It is a 16th-century formation from Dutch waar (“true”) + schijnlijk (“apparent”).[2][3] The second part is Middle Dutch schijnlijc (“evident, apparent”), from schijnen in the sense “to make a certain impression” and the suffix -lijk; in meaning it was close to modern schijnbaar.[2] The Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal allows both analyses, a compound of the adjective with ⟨schijnlijk⟩ or a formation from both words together with the suffix, and the ANW gives the second.[3][4]

Most dictionaries take it as a translation of French vraisemblable or of Latin vērī similis (“like the truth”).[5][6][7][8] The EWN only calls such a model possible, while De Vries and De Tollenaere connect it with the French adjective, which goes back to 1266, and through it with the Latin phrase.[2][9] Franck and Van Wijk note that neither Middle High German nor Middle Low German had a comparable word yet.[7] The same formation is West Frisian wierskynlik.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The first record is an ordinance of 1540 about the interest merchants may pay, which speaks of tghewin dat zy waerschynlicken zouden moghen doen, “the profit that they would probably be able to make”.[2][3][10] Its base schijnlijc “evidently” is found in Middle Dutch from 1276.[2]

Semantic evolution

At first the word was an adverb: De Vries and De Tollenaere date the adverb to 1549 and the adjective to about 1580, and Franck and Van Wijk say it is in the dictionaries only from Kiliaan on.[7][9] The Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal distinguishes the modal adverb “probably” (from 1540), an obsolete adverb of manner “with fair certainty about the truth” (1580), and a single use of 1616 meaning “with a semblance of truth”.[3]

The adjective, “probably true”, appears in 1608, waarschijnlijke redenen “plausible arguments” in 1631, and verre van waarschijnlijk “far from likely” in 1642.[3] Iets waarschijnlijk maken, to make something plausible by argument, is recorded in 1838, hoogst waarschijnlijk “almost certainly” in 1879, and a philosophical use for a judgement based on the strongest presumptions in 1911.[3] Van der Sijs counts German wahrscheinlich among the words borrowed from Dutch.[11]

Timeline

  • 1276 – Middle Dutch schijnlijc “evident” is recorded.[2]
  • 1540 – Waerschynlicken “probably” appears in an ordinance on interest.[2][3][10]
  • c. 1580 – The adjective is recorded.[9]
  • 1608 – The adjective is used of a statement that is probably true.[3]
  • 1642 – Verre van waarschijnlijk “far from likely” is recorded.[3]
  • 1879 – Hoogst waarschijnlijk “almost certainly” is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. probably, as may be supposed or expected: Ze komt morgen waarschijnlijk wat later.[12][1][3]

Adjective

  1. probable, likely: quite possible, presumably true: een waarschijnlijke verklaring.[12][1][13]

Word family

  • waarschijnlijkheid
  • onwaarschijnlijk

Usage notes

In writing the word is often abbreviated, for example wsch., wrs. or wsl.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Philippa, Marlies; Debrabandere, Frans; Quak, Arend; Schoonheim, Tanneke; Sijs, Nicoline van der (2003–2009), Etymologisch woordenboek van het Nederlands, 4 vols., Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press; online via etymologiebank.nl
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Vries, Matthias de; Winkel, L. A. te, et al. (1882–1998), Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal, 29 vols., 's-Gravenhage / Leiden: Nijhoff / Sijthoff / SDU; supplement 2001; gtb.ivdnt.org
  4. ^ Algemeen Nederlands Woordenboek (2009–), Instituut voor de Nederlandse Taal, Leiden; anw.ivdnt.org
  5. ^ Veen, P. A. F. van; Sijs, Nicoline van der (1997), Etymologisch woordenboek: de herkomst van onze woorden, 2nd ed., Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Lexicografie
  6. ^ Vries, Jan de (1971), Nederlands etymologisch woordenboek, Leiden: Brill
  7. ^ a b c Franck, Johannes; Wijk, Nicolaas van (1912), Franck's Etymologisch woordenboek der Nederlandsche taal, 2nd ed., 's-Gravenhage: Nijhoff
  8. ^ Sijs, Nicoline van der (2005), Groot leenwoordenboek, Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale
  9. ^ a b c Vries, Jan de; Tollenaere, Félicien de (2004), Etymologisch woordenboek: onze woorden, hun oorsprong en ontwikkeling, 23rd ed., Utrecht: Het Spectrum, p. 424
  10. ^ a b Sijs, Nicoline van der (2001), Chronologisch woordenboek: de ouderdom en herkomst van onze woorden en betekenissen, Amsterdam / Antwerpen: Veen
  11. ^ Sijs, Nicoline van der (2010), Nederlandse woorden wereldwijd, Den Haag: Sdu; with additions from the Uitleenwoordenbank (2015)
  12. ^ a b Van Dale Groot woordenboek hedendaags Nederlands (2014), Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Uitgevers
  13. ^ WikiWoordenboek (Dutch Wiktionary), nl.wiktionary.org