adapt English · revision 10644

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1611|origins=frm adapter|origins=la adaptare}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˈdæpt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|adapter]] (14th century),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from Latin adaptāre, to adjust, fit to,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from ad-, to, and aptāre, to join, put into position, from aptus, fitted (see [[apt]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The past participle adapted, fitted, is probably from before 1425,^(Barnhart 1988) the early 15th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) but the Middle English evidence is weak: the word seems not to have become current until the 17th century,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) first reliably before 1616 in Ben Jonson's Discoveries in Barnhart, 1611 in the OED.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To alter or modify something for a new use is from 1774,^(OED 1989) and to produce a work by adaptation from 1805.^(OED 1989) The intransitive sense, to undergo change so as to suit new conditions, is from 1956.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) ''Adaptable'' is from 1800 and ''adaptation'' from 1610.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1425 – adapted, fitted.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1610 – adaptation.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1611 – to fit to a purpose.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1774 – to modify for a new use.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1800 – adaptable.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1956 – to adjust oneself.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make suitable for a new use or situation by changing it.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To adjust to new conditions or surroundings.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To rewrite a work in a new form: ''to adapt a novel for television''.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[adaptedness]]

+ * [[nonadapting]]

+ * [[misadapt]]

+ * [[preadapt]]

+ * [[adaptable]]

+ * [[adaptation]]

+ * [[adapter]]

+ * [[adaption]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[adaptive]]

+ * [[apt]]

+ * [[adept]]

+ * [[aptitude]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}