ethical English · revision 10267

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1607|origins=en ethic}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɛθɪkəl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[ethic]] with the suffix [[-al]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) ultimately from Latin ethicus, from Greek [[m|grc|ἠθικός|tr=ēthikós]], from [[m|grc|ἦθος|tr=êthos|t=custom, character]].^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Relating to morality or the science of ethics: 1607, about 1600 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A work dealing with moral questions is from 1665,^(OED 1989) and the ''ethical dative'' in grammar from 1849.^(OED 1989) Morally right, in accordance with ethics, is from before 1871.^(OED 1989) A medicine advertised only to the medical profession is from 1935,^(OED 1989) and investment that avoids harmful companies, in finance, from 1980.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1607 – relating to morality.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1665 – of a moral treatise.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1849 – ethical dative.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1871 – morally right.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1935 – of a prescription drug.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1980 – ethical investment.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Relating to [[ethics]] or morality.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Following the accepted principles of right conduct, especially of a [[profession]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of a drug, available only on prescription.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A drug available only on prescription.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[ethically]]

+ * [[ethicality]]

+ * [[ethicalness]]

+ * [[hyperethical]]

+ * [[nonethical]]

+ * [[pseudoethical]]

+ * [[superethical]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ethic]]

+ * [[ethics]]

+ * [[ethos]]

+ * [[moral]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}