graduation English · revision 10266

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1477|origins=en graduate}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌɡɹædjuˈeɪʃən/ ''(UK)''; /ˌɡɹæd͡ʒuˈeɪʃən/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[graduate]] with the suffix [[-ation]],^(SOED 2002)^(Etymonline) after Medieval Latin graduātiō.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In alchemy, a tempering or refining of something to a certain degree: the early 15th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) 1477 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The receiving or conferring of an academic degree is also from the early 15th century,^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) and the ceremony at which degrees are given from 1818.^(Etymonline) A dividing into degrees is from the 1590s,^(Etymonline) arrangement in gradations from 1658,^(OED 1989) and concentrating brine by evaporation from 1839.^(OED 1989) The marks on a measuring vessel or instrument are a later technical sense.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1477 – tempering to a degree.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1590s – dividing into degrees.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1658 – arrangement in gradations.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1818 – a graduation ceremony.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1839 – concentration of brine.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The awarding or receiving of an academic [[degree]] or [[diploma]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The ceremony at which degrees or diplomas are conferred.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A mark or division on a scale, or the marks collectively.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An arrangement in degrees or stages.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nongraduation]]

+ * [[postgraduation]]

+ * [[pregraduation]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[graduate]]

+ * [[grade]]

+ * [[gradual]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}