messenger English · revision 14903

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1200|origins=la mittō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|messager]], [[bor|fro|messagier|t=messenger, envoy, ambassador]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) also [[fro-nor|messanger]],^(NODE 1998) formed from [[m|fro|message]] (see [[message]]),^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[la-med|missāticum]], from [[la|missus|t=sent]], the past participle of [[m|la|mittō|t=to send]].^(MWU 2024) The n was inserted by about 1300 for no etymological reason, as in [[passenger]], [[harbinger]] and [[scavenger]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One who carries a message: about 1200 in Etymonline, and as a surname in the late 12th century;^(Etymonline) before 1225 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A forerunner or harbinger, as John the Baptist was of Christ, dates to about 1200 in Etymonline^(Etymonline) and to about 1325 in the OED.^(OED 1989) Figurative messengers are from about 1400,^(OED 1989) and the word was a newspaper name from 1834.^(OED 1989) In 17th-century New England a messenger represented a Congregational church at a council (1646).^(OED 1989) In biology a messenger is a molecule that carries genetic information (1961), as in ''messenger RNA''.^(OED 1989) In Scots law a messenger was a sheriff's officer.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * late 12th century – Messager (surname).^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1200 – a bearer of messages.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1300 – the inserted n.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1325 – a forerunner.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1646 – a church messenger (New England).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1961 – a molecular messenger.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who carries messages or runs errands.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An official [[courier]] or [[envoy]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A bearer of news.^(AHD)

+ # ''(archaic)'' A [[herald]] or forerunner.^(Collins 2023)^(AHD)

+ # ''(nautical)'' A light line used to haul in a heavier rope.^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(biology)'' A substance that carries genetic information, as in ''messenger RNA''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To send by messenger.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[messenger RNA]]

+ * [[second messenger]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[message]]

+ * [[mission]]

+ * [[missile]]

+ * [[passenger]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}