around English · revision 1856

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=c. 1300 (Kyng Alisaunder)}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˈraʊnd/^(Roach et al. 2011)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|around]],^(MW Collegiate)^(MWU 2024) from the phrase [[m|enm|on round]],^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) probably formed [[af|enm|a-|round|t1=on, in|t2=circle]].^(AHD)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) Hoad suggests that in its earliest use it may have imitated [[fro|a la reonde|t=round about]],^(Hoad 1986) and the Shorter Oxford compares [[frm|en rond|t=in a circle]].^(SOED 2002)^(Weekley 1921)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In circumference, in a circle; on every side (probably before 1300, in ''Kyng Alisaunder''; c. 1300 in Etymonline).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word was rare before 1600;^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) Weekley notes that it does not occur in Shakespeare or the Authorized Version.^(Weekley 1921) It was used as a preposition, along a circuit, from the late 14th century, and in the sense “encircling” from the 1660s.^(Etymonline) In the sense “here and there, with no fixed direction” (''to travel around'', ''to fool around'') it is attested from 1776 in American English, where British English prefers ''about'';^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) the OED notes that American ''around'' for ''round'' was coming back into British use.^(OED 1989) Of time, “about, approximately”, it is recorded by 1869–73.^(HTOED)^(Etymonline) The adjective, “up and about”, dates from 1849,^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989) and later “in existence, present”;^(MWU 2024) ''to get around to'' is from 1864 and ''to have been around'', to have gained worldly experience, from 1927, both American.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1300 – in a circle; on every side.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+ * late 14th century – as a preposition, along a circuit.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1660s – encircling, surrounding.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1776 – here and there (US).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1849 – adjective, astir, out of bed.^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1864 – ''get around to''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1869 – approximately.^(HTOED)

+ * 1927 – ''to have been around''.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # On all sides; in every direction: ''for miles around''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # In a circle or with circular motion; in [[circumference]]: ''a tree five feet around''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # So as to face the other way: ''turned around''.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+ # Here and there; from place to place, often aimlessly: ''travels around''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Nearby; present or available: ''wait around''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # [[approximately|alt=Approximately]]; about.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+

+ ===Preposition===

+ # On all sides of; so as to encircle: ''around the table''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # So as to pass or avoid: ''around the corner'' or ''a way around the rules''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Here and there in; throughout: ''driving around Ireland''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Approximately at; near: ''around 1957''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # With a centre or basis in: ''organized around kinship''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Up and about; active.^(MW Collegiate)^(MWU 2024)

+ # In existence or circulation; present.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[all-around]]

+ * [[go-around]]

+ * [[around-the-clock]]

+ * [[shootaround]]

+ * [[ring-around-the-rosy]]

+ * [[round]]

+ * [[runaround]]

+ * [[turnaround]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[about]]

+ * [[surround]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}