demonstration English · revision 10331

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1374|origins=fro demonstration|origins=la demonstratio|origins=ine-pro *men-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dɛmənˈstɹeɪʃən/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English demonstracioun, [[bor|fro|demonstration]] and directly from Latin dēmōnstrātiō, dēmōnstrātiōnem,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) from dēmōnstrāre, to point out, indicate, figuratively to prove (see [[demonstrate]]),^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from dē-, entirely, and mōnstrāre, to point out, show (compare [[monster]]),^(Etymonline) which Etymonline traces to PIE *men-, to think.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Proof that something is true, by reasoning or practical experiment: about 1374 in the OED, the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Showing forth or making known is from 1393,^(OED 1989) and an illustration or sign from 1559.^(OED 1989) The exhibition and explanation of practical operations is by 1807.^(Etymonline) A public show of feeling by many people in support of a political or social cause, at first usually a mass meeting and procession, is from 1839;^(Etymonline) the NODE dates this sense to the mid-19th century.^(NODE 1998) An outward show of feeling is from 1873.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1374 – a proof.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1393 – a showing.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1559 – an illustration.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1807 – a practical exhibition.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1839 – a public demonstration.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1873 – a show of feeling.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A public display of group opinion, such as a [[rally]] or [[march]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A practical illustration or explanation of how something works.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Conclusive evidence; [[proof]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An outward show of feeling.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The act of demonstrating.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[demonstrational]]

+ * [[demonstrationist]]

+ * [[counterdemonstration]]

+ * [[redemonstration]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[demonstrable]]

+ * [[demonstrate]]

+ * [[demonstrator]]

+ * [[monster]]

+ * [[demo]]

+ * [[remonstrate]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}