elbow English · revision 15458

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited, compound|attested=c. 1000}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɛlbəʊ̯/ ''(UK)''; /ˈɛlboʊ̯/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|elbowe]], [[inh|ang|elnboga|t=elbow]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[gem-pro|*alinōbugô]], literally the bend of the forearm,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) cognate with [[dum|ellenbōghe]], [[goh|elinbogo]] (modern [[m|de|Ellenbogen]]) and [[non|ǫlnbogi]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) The first part is [[m|ang|eln|t=forearm, ell]] (see [[ell]]), the second [[m|ang|boga|t=bow, arch]] (see [[bow]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The joint between the forearm and the upper arm: about 1000 in the OED and Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) Middle English elbowe is from before 1200 (about 1200 in Etymonline).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Elbow-room, room to extend one's elbows and so ample room for action, is from the 1530s.^(Etymonline) A sharp bend in a river or road is from 1591,^(OED 1989) and an angled length of pipe from 1777.^(OED 1989) ''Out at elbows'' (1620s) meant literally having holes in one's coat.^(Etymonline) The verb, to push with the elbow, is from 1605, in Shakespeare's ''King Lear'',^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and figurative use from 1863.^(Etymonline) Elbow grease, hard rubbing, is from 1672, in Andrew Marvell.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1000 – elnboga.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1530s – elbow-room.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1591 – a bend in a river or road.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1605 – to elbow (verb).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1672 – elbow grease.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The [[joint]] between the upper arm and the [[forearm]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The part of a sleeve that covers the elbow.^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something bent like an elbow, as a sharp bend in a road or a angled length of pipe.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To push or jostle with the elbow; to force one's way.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[elbowroom]]

+ * [[elbow grease]]

+ * [[tennis elbow]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ell]]

+ * [[bow]]

+ * [[ulna]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Lakeland, Yorkshire and Pembrokeshire dialect, ''to be all arms and elbows'' meant to be clumsy or awkward.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}