exceptional English · revision 10352

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1787|origins=en exception}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪkˈsɛpʃənəl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[exception]] with the suffix [[-al]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) after French exceptionnel.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Forming an exception, out of the ordinary, unusual: 1787 in Merriam-Webster, 1828 in Etymonline, 1846 in the OED.^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Exceptionalness'' is from 1886.^(OED 1989) ''Exceptionalism'', the quality of being exceptional, usually implying superiority, is attested from 1864,^(Etymonline) and the phrase ''American exceptionalism'' by 1929, at first among communists, about whether the United States is subject to the general laws of history.^(Etymonline) Well above average, extraordinary, and of children deviating from the norm in ability, are modern senses.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1787 – first known use.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1828 – unusual.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1864 – exceptionalism.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1929 – American exceptionalism.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Forming an [[exception]]; unusual.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Well above average; [[extraordinary]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Deviating widely from the norm in physical or mental ability.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[exceptionality]]

+ * [[exceptionalness]]

+ * [[exceptionally]]

+ * [[nonexceptional]]

+ * [[unexceptional]]

+ * [[exceptionalism]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[exception]]

+ * [[except]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}