sponsor English · revision 10387

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1651|origins=la sponsor|origins=ine-pro *spend-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈspɒn.sə/, US /ˈspɑːn.sɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|spōnsor|t=sponsor at baptism; a surety, guarantor]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from spōnsus, past participle of spondēre, to give assurance, promise solemnly (see [[spouse]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from Proto-Italic *spondejo-, to pledge, literally to pour libations,^(Etymonline) from PIE *spondeio-, to libate, source also of Greek [[m|grc|σπένδειν|tr=spéndein|t=to make a drink offering]] (compare [[spondee]]).^(Etymonline) Spouse, correspond, respond and despond come from the same Latin verb.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A godparent, one who answers for a child at baptism: 1651, the 1650s in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A person who makes a formal promise on behalf of another is first recorded in 1677, in Miège's dictionary,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and the general sense, one who answers for another's conduct, by the 1670s.^(Etymonline) The person or firm that pays for a radio broadcast in order to advertise is from 1931, and for television after 1947.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) The verb, to support as a sponsor, is from 1882–84,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) to pay for a broadcast from 1931,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) to promote a bill in a legislature by 1961,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and to pledge money to fund-raisers by 1967.^(Etymonline) ''Sponsorship'' is from 1809.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1651 – a godparent.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1677 – one who pledges for another.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1809 – sponsorship.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1884 – to sponsor (verb).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1931 – a broadcast sponsor.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1961 – to sponsor a bill.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person or organization that pays for an event, project or broadcast, especially in return for advertising.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person who pledges money to someone taking part in a fund-raising activity.^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person who takes responsibility for another, or who vouches for a candidate.^(AHD)

+ # A legislator who proposes a bill.^(AHD)

+ # A [[godparent]] at baptism or confirmation.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To act as a sponsor for.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[sponsorial]]

+ * [[sponsorship]]

+ * [[unsponsored]]

+ * [[cosponsor]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[spouse]]

+ * [[respond]]

+ * [[correspond]]

+ * [[despond]]

+ * [[spondee]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}