bargain English · revision 14899

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=1330|origins=gem-pro *borgan}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈbɑː.ɡɪn/, US /ˈbɑːr.ɡɪn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|bargayn]], [[bor|xno|bargayne]], from [[fro|bargaine|t=business, trade, deal]], from [[m|fro|bargaignier|t=to haggle over the price]] (modern [[fr|barguigner]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) The verb came directly from the French verb.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) Its source is probably Germanic:^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) Etymonline suggests [[frk|*borganjan|t=to lend]], ultimately from [[gem-pro|*borgan|t=to pledge, lend, borrow]],^(Etymonline) Hoad gives [[m|gem-pro|*borʒanjan]], from the root of [[borrow]],^(Hoad 1986) and Merriam-Webster relates it to [[ang|borgian|t=to borrow]].^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Discussion of the terms on which one party gives something to another, haggling: 1330 in the OED,^(OED 1989) before 1338 as bergayn in Mannyng's Chronicle in Barnhart,^(Barnhart 1988) the mid-14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The agreement itself is from about 1340,^(OED 1989) and that which is acquired by bargaining, a purchase seen as good or bad, from 1352.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) A transaction with unpleasant consequences is from about 1400.^(OED 1989) The verb is from about 1380, in Wycliffe,^(Barnhart 1988) or about 1400 in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The sense of an article sold at a reduced price is from 1899.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) In some English coalfields a bargain was a piece of work let to the miners (1825),^(OED 1989) and in Yorkshire and Derbyshire dialect it could mean a burden or annoyance, as ''an uneasy bargain'', a cross child.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1330 – haggling over terms.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1340 – an agreement.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1352 – something acquired by bargaining.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1380 – to bargain (verb).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1825 – a piece of mining work.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1899 – an article at a reduced price.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An [[agreement]] between parties fixing what each will give, receive or do.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something acquired by such an agreement.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something bought or offered at a low price.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''into the bargain'' (US also ''in the bargain''): besides, in addition.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[negotiate]] the terms of an agreement, as of a sale.^(AHD)

+ # To arrive at an agreement.^(AHD)

+ # To exchange or trade something.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[bargainer]]

+ * [[bargainable]]

+ * [[bargain-basement]]

+ * [[plea-bargain]]

+ * [[prebargain]]

+ * [[outbargain]]

+ * [[bargaining chip]]

+ * [[bargaining unit]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[borrow]]

+ * [[barter]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}