demo English · revision 10325

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=clipping|attested=1936|origins=en demonstration}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈdɛm.əʊ/ ''(UK)''; /ˈdɛm.oʊ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a shortening of [[demonstration]].^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A public political demonstration: 1936.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A promotional music recording, short for demonstration disc, is from 1954 in the OED and by 1958 in ''Billboard'' headlines and advertisements, originally American.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) A practical demonstration of a product or computer program, and a model used for demonstration and later sold, are further senses.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002) The verb, to demonstrate, is also used.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1936 – a political demonstration.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1954 – a demo disc.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1958 – in Billboard.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A demonstration of a product, system or service.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A short recording made to show the qualities of a performer or song.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A product such as a car used for demonstration and later sold at a discount.^(AHD)

+ # ''(informal)'' A public political [[demonstration]].^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To demonstrate.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[demonstration]]

+ * [[demonstrate]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Demo was also an American colloquial shortening of [[Democrat]] (1793).^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}