leisure English · revision 15084

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=probably before 1300|origins=la liceō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈleʒ.ə/, US /ˈliː.ʒɚ/, /ˈleʒ.ɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|leiser]], [[bor|fro|leisir|t=permission, leisure, free time]], a variant of [[m|fro|loisir]], the noun use of a verb meaning to be permitted,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|liceō|t=to be allowed]] (see [[licence]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) The spelling with -ure appeared in the 16th century, probably after words such as [[pleasure]] and [[measure]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Time free from work or duties: probably before 1300, in Kyng Alisaunder, in Barnhart; about 1300 in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The OED's first sense, freedom or opportunity to do something (1303), is obsolete.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ An opportunity or chance, and lack of hurry, are from the early 14th century.^(Etymonline) Freedom from necessary occupations is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) as is ''at leisure'', without haste.^(Etymonline) A spell of free time is from about 1449,^(OED 1989) and to wait upon someone's leisure from 1517.^(OED 1989) The OED notes that the French word developed in much the same way.^(Etymonline) The adjective is from the 1660s,^(Etymonline) and leisurely is from 1486 as an adverb and 1604 as an adjective.^(Barnhart 1988) ''A lady of leisure'' dates only from the 1940s.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * probably before 1300 – free time.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1303 – opportunity (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * late 14th century – at leisure.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1486 – leisurely (adverb).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1660s – leisure (adjective).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1940s – a lady of leisure.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Time free from work or duties, for ease and relaxation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Ease; an unhurried manner.^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''at leisure'': having free time; also, without hurrying.^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''at one's leisure'': when one has time.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of or for free time: ''leisure activities''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[leisurable]]

+ * [[leisureless]]

+ * [[leisured]]

+ * [[leisurely]]

+ * [[leisurewear]]

+ * [[leisure suit]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[licence]]

+ * [[licit]]

+ * [[illicit]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}