badge English · revision 10514

+ {{infobox|confidence=unknown|attested=c. 1350}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /bæd͡ʒ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English bage, bagge,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) perhaps from Anglo-French bage (1334) or Anglo-Latin bagis, the plural of bagia, both meaning emblem,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) all of unknown origin.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A distinctive device, emblem or mark, originally a heraldic device or a token worn by servants or followers to show their allegiance: about 1350 in the OED, about 1400 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The verb, to mark with a badge, is from 1380.^(OED 1989) Figurative use, a mark or token of anything, is by the 1520s (1529).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A ''badge-man'' was a licensed beggar who wore a badge (1790).^(OED 1989) A different verb badge, to deal as a badger, to hawk provisions, is from 1552.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1350 – an emblem.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1380 – to badge (verb).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1529 – a token (figurative).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1790 – badge-man.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An emblem or device worn to show rank, office, membership or achievement.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A characteristic mark or sign: ''a badge of honour''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[badgeless]]

+ * [[film badge]]

+ * [[merit badge]]

+ * [[proficiency badge]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[emblem]]

+ * [[insignia]]

+ * [[token]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Oxfordshire a badge was a moth of medium size, and in older Scots a large, ill-shaped bundle.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}