theoretical English · revision 10528

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1616|origins=la theoreticus|origins=grc θεωρητικός}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /θɪəˈret.ɪ.kəl/, US /ˌθiː.əˈret̬.ɪ.kəl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed in English from Late Latin [[der|la|theōrēticus|t=of or pertaining to theory]] and [[-al]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from Greek [[m|grc|θεωρητικός|tr=theōrētikós|t=contemplative, speculative]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from theōrētós, that may be seen or considered, from theōreîn, to consider, look at (see [[theory]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Contemplative, a sense now obsolete: 1616, in Bullokar's English Expositor.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Aristotle contrasted the Greek word with praktikós, practical.^(Etymonline) The sense relating to or consisting in theory is from before 1652,^(OED 1989) and existing only in theory, hypothetical, from 1826.^(OED 1989) Of people, given to theorizing, is from 1840.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1616 – contemplative.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1652 – relating to theory.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1826 – existing only in theory.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1840 – of people, given to theory.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of, relating to or based on [[theory]]: ''theoretical physics''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Existing only in theory; [[hypothetical]] or not practical.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Given to theorizing; [[speculative]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[theoretically]]

+ * [[antitheoretical]]

+ * [[atheoretical]]

+ * [[untheoretical]]

+ * [[nontheoretical]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[theory]]

+ * [[theorem]]

+ * [[practical]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}