landmark English · revision 15222

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=982}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈlændmɑːk/ ''(UK)''; /ˈlændmɑɹk/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|londes mark]], [[inh|ang|landmearc|t=boundary of an estate or country]],^(Etymonline) from [[m|ang|land]] and [[m|ang|mearc|t=mark, boundary]] (see [[land]] and [[mark]]).^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The boundary of a country or estate, or an object set up to mark it: 982 in the OED;^(OED 1989) Merriam-Webster gives before the 12th century.^(MWU 2024) The Century Dictionary lists boundary stones, marked trees and ditches.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A conspicuous object in the landscape that serves as a guide, especially one seen from the sea by sailors, is from the 1560s (1570 in the OED).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Figuratively, an event or object that marks a stage of development or a turning point is from 1859,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and the adjective use, historically significant, as in ''a landmark decision'', from 1937.^(OED 1989) A building or site of historical importance is in modern dictionaries.^(AHD) The verb is from 1921.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 982 – a boundary.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1570 – a guiding feature of the landscape.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1859 – a turning point.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1937 – landmark (adjective).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A prominent or well-known feature of a landscape, used to find one's way.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An event, discovery or decision marking an important stage or [[turning point]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A building or site of historical importance.^(AHD)

+ # A marker of a [[boundary]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of great importance or significance: ''a landmark ruling''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[land]]

+ * [[mark]]

+ * [[march]]

+ * [[benchmark]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}