merger English · revision 10733

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1728|origins=en merge}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈmɜː.dʒə/, US /ˈmɝː.dʒɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[merge]], on the analogy of Anglo-French infinitives used as nouns, such as [[waiver]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In law, the extinguishing of a right or estate by its absorption into a greater one: 1728.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The general sense, an act of merging, is from 1881.^(OED 1989) The business sense, the combination of one firm with another, is from 1889, at first American.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A separate merger, one who merges, is from 1846.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1728 – a legal merger.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1846 – one who merges.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1881 – an act of merging.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1889 – a business merger.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The combining of two or more companies or organizations into one.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The act of merging; a union.^(AHD)

+ # ''(law)'' The absorption of a lesser estate, right or offence into a greater one.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[megamerger]]

+ * [[demerger]]

+ * [[premerger]]

+ * [[antimerger]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[merge]]

+ * [[emerge]]

+ * [[submerge]]

+ * [[waiver]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}