battlefield English · revision 15090

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1769}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈbæt.əl.fiːld/, US /ˈbæt̬.əl.fiːld/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a compound, [[af|en|battle|field]].^(Etymonline) The usual Old English word was [[m|ang|wælstow]], literally “slaughter-place”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The scene of a battle: 1769 in Merriam-Webster, 1812 in Etymonline.^(MWU 2024)^(MW Collegiate)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is also used figuratively, of a subject that people argue about a great deal.^(LDOCE 2009)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1769 – battlefield.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1812 – battle-field.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The place where a battle is or was fought; a [[battleground]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A field of conflict or dispute.^(AHD)^(LDOCE 2009)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[battle]]

+ * [[field]]

+ * [[battleground]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}