zoom English · revision 16157

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=onomatopoeia|attested=1886, Century Magazine}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /zuːm/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is imitative of a buzzing or humming sound.^(AHD 2024)^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) An imitative interjection ''zoom'' is recorded earlier, from 1856.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To move quickly with a humming or buzzing sound: 1886, in the ''Century Magazine''.^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Aviators took it up from about 1917 for an aircraft's steep climb at speed, both as noun and verb,^(Etymonline)^(OED 2026)^(Weekley 1921) and the general sense, to move quickly, followed (1924 in Barnhart).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Prices and figures have zoomed upwards since 1928.^(OED 2026) The ''[[zoom lens]]'', which changes magnification smoothly from a distant to a close shot, is dated 1932 in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and the verb in photography and film 1944 in the OED.^(OED 2026) In computing, to enlarge or shrink part of a screen image is from 1965.^(OED 2026) ''Zoom'' is also a trademark for software for online conference calls, and a verb for taking part in them.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1856 – the interjection.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1886 – to move with a buzzing sound.^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1917 – of an aircraft, to climb steeply; the noun.^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1928 – of prices, to soar.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1932 – ''zoom lens''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1965 – in computing, to enlarge an image.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To move very fast, often with a low humming sound.^(AHD 2024)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of a camera or lens, to change smoothly from a long shot to a close-up or back; on a computer, to enlarge or reduce an image.^(AHD 2024)^(OED 2026)

+ # Of prices or numbers, to rise rapidly.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+ # Of an aircraft, to climb steeply and quickly.^(AHD 2024)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A zoom lens, or the act of zooming.^(AHD 2024)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[zoom lens]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}