amen English · revision 15105

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 950|origins=hbo אָמֵן}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌɑːˈmen/, /ˌeɪˈmen/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|ang|amen]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|la-lat|āmēn]], from [[grc|ἀμήν|tr=amḗn]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[hbo|אָמֵן|tr=ʾāmēn|t=truth, certainty, verily]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021)^(NODE 1998) from a Semitic root meaning to be trustworthy or to confirm.^(Etymonline) The Septuagint adopted it as a solemn affirmation, which brought it into early Christian Greek and Latin.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As the closing word of a text: about 950 in the OED, before 1000 in Barnhart, as in Cynewulf and Ælfric.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Old English it was used only at the end of the Gospels, and elsewhere translated by expressions meaning “truly” or “so it is”.^(Etymonline) As a response of agreement after prayers it is from about 1230.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The Bible keeps it from the Greek or Hebrew in the sense truly, verily (about 1382).^(OED 1989) The noun, an expression of assent, is from 1579,^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) and a conclusion from 1677.^(OED 1989) The American ''amen corner'' of a meeting-house is from 1860.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 950 – a concluding formula.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1230 – amen after a prayer.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1382 – truly, verily.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1579 – an amen (noun).^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1860 – amen corner (US).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Interjection===

+ # Said at the end of a prayer or statement to express agreement; so be it.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # The word amen, or an expression of assent.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''say amen to'': to express strong approval of something.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[amen corner]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Amen, also Amon or Amun, the ram-headed Egyptian god, is a separate name.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}