thanksgiving English · revision 10369

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1533}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /θæŋksˈɡɪvɪŋ/, /ˈθæŋksˌɡɪvɪŋ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[thanks]] and the present participle of [[give]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) The verbal phrase give thanks is attested from the late 14th century, and Wycliffe has doinge of thankes.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The giving of thanks, especially to God: 1533, the 1530s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The earlier noun was simply thanking (late 13th century).^(Etymonline) An act or expression of thanks, especially a prayer, is from 1535,^(OED 1989) and a public religious celebration acknowledging divine favour from 1641.^(OED 1989) The North American festival commemorates the harvest celebration of the Plymouth colonists in 1621, held in appreciation of help from members of the Massasoit tribe and to celebrate the first harvest,^(Etymonline) though ''Thanksgiving Day'' itself is not attested until the 1670s (1674).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A verb ''thanksgive'' (1630s) is a back-formation.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * late 13th century – thanking.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1533 – the giving of thanks.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1535 – a prayer of thanks.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1641 – a public celebration.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1674 – Thanksgiving Day.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of giving thanks; an expression of gratitude, especially to God.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A public celebration acknowledging divine favour.^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(Thanksgiving)'' A national holiday in the United States and Canada, Thanksgiving Day.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[thanksgiver]]

+ * [[thanks]]

+ * [[thank]]

+ * [[give]]

+ * [[grace]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}