adequate English · revision 10291

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1593|origins=la adaequatus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈæd.ɪ.kwət/, /ˈæd.ə.kwət/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|adaequātus|t=made equal]], the past participle of adaequāre, to make equal, equalize,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from ad-, to, and aequāre, to make level, from aequus, equal (see [[equal]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Merriam-Webster dates the adjective to 1593;^(MWU 2024) Barnhart and the OED first record it before 1617, the sense equal to what is required, sufficient,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and Etymonline dates it to the 1610s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Equal in magnitude or extent, commensurate, is from 1628 and obsolete.^(OED 1989) In logic, fully representing something, it is from 1690.^(OED 1989) Somewhat disparaging use, barely sufficient, mediocre, is by 1900,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and equal to the occasion, competent, from 1924.^(OED 1989) A verb adequate, to equalize, was used from 1599.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1593 – first known use.^(MWU 2024)

+ * before 1617 – sufficient.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1628 – commensurate.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1900 – barely sufficient.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1924 – competent.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Sufficient to meet a need or requirement.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Barely satisfactory; no more than acceptable.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[adequacy]]

+ * [[adequately]]

+ * [[adequateness]]

+ * [[inadequate]]

+ * [[superadequate]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[equal]]

+ * [[equate]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}