thorough English · revision 10695

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 1000|origins=ang þuruh}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈθʌr.ə/, US /ˈθɝː.oʊ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|ang|þuruh]] (about 1000), a stressed two-syllable variant of þurh, through (see [[through]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021) paralleled in Old Saxon thuru(h) and Old High German duruh.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As a preposition and adverb, from side to side or end to end, through: about 1000;^(OED 1989) as an adjective, fully done, complete, 1300.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Through and thorough were at first simply two forms of the same word,^(Cresswell 2021)^(Etymonline) and thorough still survives archaically in the senses of through, as in ''thoroughfare'' (about 1385, in Chaucer).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) The adjective, carried out in every detail, dates from the late 15th century,^(Cresswell 2021)^(NODE 1998) and Etymonline dates thorough, perfect, complete, from the mid-13th century.^(Etymonline) ''Thoroughbred'' is from 1701 and ''thoroughgoing'' from 1819, in Scott.^(Barnhart 1988) In English history ''Thorough'' was the uncompromising policy of Strafford and Laud under Charles I.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1000 – þuruh, through.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1300 – complete (adjective).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1385 – thoroughfare.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 15th century – carried out in detail.^(Cresswell 2021)

+ * 1701 – thoroughbred.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Complete and careful, leaving nothing out: ''a thorough search''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Painstakingly accurate or careful.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # [[utter|alt=Utter]]; absolute: ''a thorough nuisance''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[thoroughly]]

+ * [[thoroughness]]

+ * [[superthorough]]

+ * [[thoroughbrace]]

+ * [[thoroughpaced]]

+ * [[thoroughwort]]

+ * [[unthorough]]

+ * [[thoroughbred]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[through]]

+ * [[thoroughfare]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}