fulfill English · revision 15411
17 Oct 2026, 16:21 by bogdan “en10k b0447: sunlight … behavioral” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=c. 1000}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA: /fʊlˈfɪl/, /fəˈfɪl/^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is [[inh|enm|fulfillen]], [[inh|ang|fullfyllan|t=to fill up, make full]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|ang|full|t=full]] and [[m|ang|fyllan|t=to fill]] (see [[full]] and [[fill]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(AHD)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ To fill up, make full: about 1000, in Ælfric's ''Grammar'', in Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1988)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ From the mid-13th century it was used of prophecies and promises, probably translating Latin [[m|la|impleō]] and [[m|la|adimpleō]];^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) to carry out or perform is also from the mid-13th century,^(Etymonline) and to complete or satisfy from about 1300.^(Etymonline) Self-fulfilling prophecy is attested by 1949, popularized by the sociologist Robert K. Merton.^(Etymonline) Etymonline notes that it and [[fulsome]] are among the few survivors of compounds beginning with full-.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 1000 – fullfyllan, to fill up.^(Barnhart 1988)
+ * probably before 1250 – to fulfil a prophecy.^(Barnhart 1988)
+ * mid-13th century – to carry out.^(Etymonline)
+ * c. 1300 – to satisfy.^(Etymonline)
+ * 1949 – self-fulfilling prophecy.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Verb===
+ # To carry out or bring about a promise, hope or prediction.^(AHD)^(LDOCE 2009)
+ # To perform a task or meet a requirement; to [[satisfy]].^(AHD)^(LDOCE 2009)
+ # To make someone feel satisfied with their life or work.^(LDOCE 2009)
+ # To bring to an end; to complete.^(AHD)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[fulfiller]]
+ * [[overfulfill]]
+ * [[unfulfilled]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[fulfil]]
+ * [[fulfilment]]
+ * [[full]]
+ * [[fill]]
+ * [[fulsome]]
+
+ ==Usage notes==
+ ''Fulfill'' is the American spelling, and British English writes ''fulfil''.^(LDOCE 2009)^(AHD)
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}