open English · revision 2036

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 725 (Beowulf)|origins=gem-pro *upanaz}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈəʊ.pən/, US /ˈoʊ.pən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|open]], [[inh|ang|open|t=not closed; raised up; evident]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[gem-pro|*upanaz]],^(Hoad 1986) which has the form of a strong past participle formed from the root of [[up]], as if meaning “put or set up”,^(Hoad 1986)^(SOED 2002)^(Etymonline) although no such Germanic verb has been found.^(Etymonline) Its cognates include [[ofs|epen]], [[osx|opan]], [[nl|open]], [[goh|offan]] (modern [[de|offen]]) and [[non|opinn]];^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) it is not recorded in Gothic.^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline traces the root further to [[ine-pro|*upo|t=under, up from under]].^(Etymonline) The verb is [[inh|ang|openian]], formed from the adjective,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) with cognates such as [[m|osx|opanōn]], [[m|goh|offanōn]] (modern [[m|de|öffnen]]) and [[m|non|opna]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Old English ''open'' is recorded about 725, in ''Beowulf'', of gates, eyelids and the like, meaning “not closed” or “raised up”,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and also meant “exposed, evident, public”, often in a bad sense, “notorious, shameless”.^(Etymonline) The verb ''openian'' meant “to open”, and also “to disclose, reveal”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of physical spaces the adjective meant “unobstructed” by about 1200, of rooms with unclosed entrances about 1300, and of wounds in the late 14th century.^(Etymonline) The figurative sense “frank, candid” is from the early 14th century,^(Etymonline) and of shops “ready for business” from 1824.^(Etymonline) The noun meant “an aperture” in the early 13th century;^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) ''the open'', the open country, is from the 1620s, and “public knowledge” (''out in the open'') from 1942, though Middle English already had ''in open'' “publicly”.^(Etymonline) An ''open'' competition is first a golf term, from 1926.^(Etymonline) The verb in the sense “to begin” is dated to 1471 by the HTOED^(HTOED) and to the 1690s by Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and ''open up'' “to stop being secretive” is from 1921.^(Etymonline) Phrases include ''open house'' (1824), ''open-and-shut'' (1841, New Orleans), ''open book'' (1853), ''open door'' in trade (1856) and ''open season'' (1895 of game, 1914 of people).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 725 – Old English ''open'' (''Beowulf'').^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 725 – verb ''openian''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1200 – unobstructed, of places.^(Etymonline)

+ * early 13th century – noun, an aperture.^(Etymonline)

+ * early 14th century – frank, candid.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1420 – ''open air''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1440 – ''opener''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1471 – verb, to begin.^(HTOED)

+ * 1620s – ''the open'', open country.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1824 – of shops, open for business, and ''open house''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1841 – ''open-and-shut''.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1856 – ''open door'', in trade.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1921 – ''open up'', to talk freely.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1926 – an open competition, in golf.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1942 – ''in the open'', public knowledge.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Not shut or closed, so that one can pass through: ''an open door''.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Without a cover or protection; [[exposed]].^(AHD)

+ # Plain to see; [[blatant]], not hidden.^(AHD)

+ # Spread out or [[unfold|alt=unfolded]].^(AHD)

+ # Having gaps or spaces between the parts.^(AHD)

+ # Available to everyone; not restricted.^(AHD)

+ # [[frank|alt=Frank]] and candid.^(Etymonline)^(RHWU)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To move (a door, lid etc.) so that it is no longer closed.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # To clear of obstructions, or make an opening in.^(AHD)

+ # To spread out or unfold.^(AHD)

+ # To [[begin]] or start: ''open a meeting''.^(AHD)^(HTOED)

+ # To become open; to begin business or operation.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # An open, unobstructed stretch of land or water, or (''the open'') the outdoors.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A state of being known to all: ''out in the open''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A [[tournament]] open to both professionals and amateurs.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[openly]]

+ * [[openness]]

+ * [[openable]]

+ * [[open-label]]

+ * [[open-cast]]

+ * [[open-minded]]

+ * [[openhearted]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[up]]

+ * [[opening]]

+ * [[opener]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}