farewell English · revision 15225

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=probably before 1200}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /fɛəˈwɛl/ ''(UK)''; /fɛɹˈwɛl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|farewel]], from the phrase faren wel, with [[m|enm|fare]], the imperative of [[m|enm|faren|t=to go, get along]], and [[m|enm|wel|t=well]] (see [[fare]] and [[well]]).^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The verbal phrase ''faren wel'' is from probably before 1200, in Layamon's ''Brut'', in Barnhart;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) as an interjection, a parting wish, farewel is from about 1378 in a version of ''Piers Plowman'', 1377 in the OED.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was usually said to the person leaving, who replied with [[goodbye]].^(Etymonline) The noun, a leave-taking, is from 1393 in the OED, about 1425 in Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) Figuratively it expressed regret at leaving anything, from about 1385.^(OED 1989) It also meant a payment on quitting a tenancy (1523) and an aftertaste (1634), both obsolete.^(OED 1989) ''To a fare-thee-well'', to the utmost degree, is American English by 1884.^(Etymonline) In Australia and New Zealand it is also a verb, to honour someone who is leaving.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * probably before 1200 – faren wel.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1377 – farewell (interjection).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1393 – a farewell (noun).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1884 – to a fare-thee-well.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Interjection===

+ # [[goodbye|alt=Goodbye]]; [[adieu]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # An expression of good wishes at parting; a goodbye.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An act of leaving; a departure.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Done or given at parting: ''a farewell speech''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[farewell-to-spring]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[fare]]

+ * [[well]]

+ * [[goodbye]]

+ * [[welfare]]

+ * [[wayfarer]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In north-country and Somerset dialect the Michaelmas daisy was called the farewell-daisy, from its late flowering.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}