donation English · revision 10556

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1425|origins=frm donation|origins=la donatio}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /dəʊˈneɪ.ʃən/, US /doʊˈneɪ.ʃən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is, through Middle French donation, [[bor|la|dōnātiō|t=a presenting, giving]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from dōnāre, to give as a gift,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from dōnum, gift, related to dare, to give (see [[date]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The act or power of giving or presenting: about 1425, in Scottish use.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The right of bestowing a church benefice is from 1540,^(OED 1989) and that which is given, a gift, from 1577.^(OED 1989) In law, a donation is the transfer of property without payment (1651).^(OED 1989) The verb [[donate]] is a back-formation from donation, recorded in 1785 in American English.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1425 – the act of giving.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1540 – the bestowing of a benefice.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1577 – a gift.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1785 – donate.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of giving, especially to a [[charity]] or cause.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A gift or [[contribution]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[donate]]

+ * [[donor]]

+ * [[date]]

+ * [[pardon]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}