confidential English · revision 15197
17 Oct 2026, 15:41 by bogdan “en10k b0426: moisture … confidential” current version
Initial text
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1759|origins=la fīdō}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA: /ˌkɒn.fɪˈdɛn.ʃəl/, /ˌkɒn.fɪˈden.ʃəl/ ''(UK)''; /ˌkɔn.fɪˈdɛn.ʃəl/, /ˌkɑn.fɪˈdɛn.ʃəl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is formed from [[confidence]] (from [[la|cōnfīdentia]]) and [[-al]],^(Etymonline) after pairs such as penitence and [[penitential]].^(MWU 2024) The Latin noun is from [[m|la|cōnfīdō|t=to trust]], from [[m|la|fīdō|t=to trust]].^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ Indicating private intimacy or the confiding of secrets: 1759 in the OED, Etymonline and Merriam-Webster.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) An earlier, rare sense, confident or bold, is recorded in 1651.^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ The sense spoken or written in confidence, intended to be kept private, is from 1755–73 in the OED, 1773 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Enjoying another's confidence, entrusted with secrets, as in ''a confidential secretary'', is from 1805.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A special sense in government is information whose unauthorized disclosure would threaten national security.^(AHD)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 1651 – confident, bold (obsolete).^(OED 1989)
+ * 1759 – showing private intimacy.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)
+ * 1773 – meant to be kept private.^(Etymonline)
+ * 1805 – entrusted with secrets.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Adjective===
+ # Spoken, written or given in confidence; [[secret]], [[private]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+ # Entrusted with another's secrets or private affairs.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+ # Showing [[intimacy]]: ''a confidential tone''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+ # Of official information, classified as secret to a lower degree.^(AHD)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[confidentiality]]
+ * [[confidentially]]
+ * [[nonconfidential]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[confide]]
+ * [[confidence]]
+ * [[confident]]
+ * [[faith]]
+ * [[fidelity]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}