tavern English · revision 1499

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=1286}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈtævən/ ''(UK)''; /ˈtævəɹn/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|taverne]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate) [[bor|fro|taverne|t=shed of boards, booth; tavern, inn]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from [[la|taberna|t=hut, shed; shop, inn, tavern]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) probably from [[m|la|*traberna]], by dissimilation of the first r,^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Klein 1966)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|trabs|t=beam, timber]].^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Klein 1966) The change of b to v is regular in Old French, as in [[m|fro|governer]] from Latin [[m|la|gubernāre]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[tabernacle]].^(Klein 1966)^(Weekley 1921)^(Abracadabra 2004)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A public house or tap-room where wine was sold (1286 in the OED; about 1290 in Barnhart; c. 1300 in Etymonline).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ By about 1440 a tavern was also an inn offering lodging.^(Barnhart 1995)^(AHD) ''Taverner'', a tavern-keeper, appears as a surname from the late 12th century.^(Etymonline) In the 16th century the word could mean a shop or cellar under a house (1521).^(OED 1989) The verb, to frequent taverns, dates from 1580.^(OED 1989) In Britain ''tavern'' is now a less common word for a [[pub]],^(Collins 2023) while in the United States, eastern Canada and New Zealand it is a place licensed to sell alcoholic drink.^(Collins 2023) In South Africa Cape Town is called the ''Tavern of the Seas'', from its role as a refreshment station for ships.^(DSAE)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1286 – a wine shop or tap-room.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1440 – an inn.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1521 – a cellar or shop under a house (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1580 – verb, to frequent taverns.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An establishment licensed to sell alcoholic drinks to be consumed on the premises; a [[bar]] or [[pub]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An [[inn]] for travellers.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[tabernacle]]

+ * [[taverner]]

+ * [[inn]]

+ * [[hostelry]]

+ * [[pub]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}