velocity English · revision 14947

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=probably before 1425|origins=la vēlōx}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /vɪˈlɒs.ə.ti/, US /vəˈlɑː.sə.t̬i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|vēlōcitās|t=swiftness, speed]], perhaps through [[frm|vélocité]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|vēlōx|t=swift, rapid]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) a word of uncertain origin, perhaps related to [[m|la|vehō|t=to carry]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Rapidity, speed: probably before 1425, in a translation of Chauliac's surgery, in Barnhart; the early 15th century in Etymonline, about 1550 in the OED.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In physics, a relative rate of motion is from 1656,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and speed together with direction, as a vector, from 1847.^(OED 1989) Rapidity of action is from before 1674,^(OED 1989) and in economics the rate at which money changes hands from 1909.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * probably before 1425 – speed.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1656 – a rate of motion.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1847 – velocity as a vector.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1909 – velocity of money.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Speed; swiftness.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(physics)'' The rate of change of position in a particular direction; speed together with direction, a [[vector]] quantity.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The rate at which something happens.^(AHD)

+ # ''(economics)'' The rate at which money changes hands.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[velocimeter]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[velocipede]]

+ * [[velodrome]]

+ * [[vehicle]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}