within English · revision 2020

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited, compound|attested=late Old English (wiþinnan)}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /wɪˈðɪn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|withinne]], [[inh|ang|wiþinnan|t=on the inside, from within]],^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966)^(SOED 2002) a compound, [[af|ang|wiþ|innan|t1=against, with|t2=inside, within]],^(Hoad 1986)^(Klein 1966)^(MWU 2024) literally “against the inside”.^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) ''Innan'' is itself formed from [[in]] with a suffix meaning “from”,^(RHWU) and the Middle English word was assimilated to ''in''.^(SOED 2002) It is the opposite of [[without]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As an adverb, “on the inner side, inside”: late Old English.^(Hoad 1986)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The preposition “in the interior of, inside the limits of” is from the 12th century.^(Hoad 1986)^(MW Collegiate) From 1297 to 1475 it also meant “into”, with verbs of motion.^(HTOED) ''Within'' has meant “in this document, herein” since 1387,^(HTOED) ''from within'' is recorded from 1490,^(HTOED) and “in the membership of a group” from 1526.^(HTOED) The noun is from the 15th century^(MW Collegiate) and the adjective “inner” from 1748.^(MW Collegiate)^(HTOED) As an adverb it is now archaic or literary.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * late Old English – adverb ''wiþinnan''.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * 12th century – preposition.^(Hoad 1986)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1387 – in this document.^(HTOED)

+ * 15th century – noun.^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1490 – ''from within''.^(HTOED)

+ * 1526 – among the members of a group.^(HTOED)

+ * 1748 – adjective.^(MW Collegiate)^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Preposition===

+ # Inside; in the inner part of.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Not beyond the limits of in time or distance: ''within an hour''.^(AHD)

+ # Inside the scope or [[sphere]] of: ''within the law''.^(AHD)

+ # Not more than a stated amount: ''within ten percent''.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # ''(literary)'' Inside; [[inward|alt=inwardly]], in the mind or heart.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # An inner place or position: ''from within''.^(AHD)^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[with]]

+ * [[in]]

+ * [[without]]

+ * [[withal]]

+ * [[withstand]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}