elegant English · revision 15188

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1485|origins=la ēligō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈel.ɪ.ɡənt/, US /ˈel.ə.ɡənt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|élégant]] and directly [[la|ēlegāns|t=choice, fine, tasteful]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) usually explained as the present participle of an unattested [[m|la|*ēlegō]], a parallel form of [[m|la|ēligō|t=to select with care, choose]] (see [[elect]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) In Latin the word was at first a term of reproach, and the sense “refined” emerged in classical times.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Tastefully ornate in dress, sometimes in an unfavourable sense: about 1485.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The basic idea behind the word is being discerning and choosing with care, the same idea as in [[elect]], [[eligible]] and [[elite]].^(Cresswell 2021) It was used of literary style from 1528,^(OED 1989) of refined grace in general from the 1520s in Etymonline or 1658 in the OED,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) of a speaker or writer from 1641,^(OED 1989) and of a neat, ingenious scientific method from 1668.^(OED 1989) In the 16th century it could also mean tall, of stature.^(OED 1989) The noun, a fashionable person, is from 1780, from French.^(MWU 2024) Elegance is from the 16th century.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1485 – tastefully ornate in dress.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1513 – tall (16th century).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1528 – of literary style.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1658 – refined grace of form.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1668 – neat and ingenious (science).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1780 – an elegant (noun).^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Showing refined, tasteful beauty of manner, form or style; [[stylish]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Dignified and graceful in appearance or behaviour.^(Collins 2023)

+ # Cleverly simple; [[ingenious]]: ''an elegant solution''.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[elegantly]]

+ * [[elegancy]]

+ * [[hyperelegant]]

+ * [[overelegant]]

+ * [[superelegant]]

+ * [[unelegant]]

+ * [[elegance]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[elect]]

+ * [[eligible]]

+ * [[elite]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Etymonline quotes the Century Dictionary's distinction: elegant implies a grace that comes from training and the study of models, graceful a more natural gift.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}