problem English · revision 2313

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1382 (Wycliffe Bible)|origins=grc προβάλλω}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈprɒb.ləm/, US /ˈprɑː.bləm/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|probleme]], [[bor|fro|probleme]] and directly [[bor|la|problēma]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) from [[grc|πρόβλημα|tr=próblēma|t=a thing put forward, a question proposed]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) from [[m|grc|προβάλλω|alt=προβάλλειν|tr=probállein|t=to throw forward, propose]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000)^(Klein 1966) from [[m|grc|πρό|tr=pró|t=forward]] and [[m|grc|βάλλω|alt=βάλλειν|tr=bállein|t=to throw]].^(Etymonline)^(COED 2004)^(Klein 1966) The Greek word also meant a projection or headland, a barrier, and a problem in geometry.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) It is related to [[ballistic]].^(Cresswell 2021)^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A puzzling question, a riddle: before 1382, in the Wycliffe Bible.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the late 14th century a ''problem'' was also a question put forward for scholarly discussion.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) It meant “a difficulty” from 1464^(Barnhart 1988) or the mid-15th century,^(Etymonline) and a proposition in geometry or mathematics from 1570^(Barnhart 1988) or the 1560s.^(Etymonline) “A doubtful or difficult question” is from 1594.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) The pattern ''the — problem'' for a persistent social difficulty is found from 1882,^(Etymonline) ''problem child'' by 1916,^(Etymonline) and a chronic personal difficulty, as in ''a drink problem'', from 1950.^(OED 1989) ''No problem'' is dated 1963 by the OED^(OED 1989) and 1968 by Etymonline.^(Etymonline) ''Problematical'' is from 1570 and ''problematic'' from 1609.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1382 – a riddle (Wycliffe Bible).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1387 – a question for scholarly study.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1464 – a difficulty.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1570 – a problem in mathematics, and ''problematical''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1594 – a doubtful question.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1609 – ''problematic''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1916 – ''problem child''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1950 – a personal difficulty.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1963 – ''no problem''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A question to be considered, solved or answered.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # A situation, matter or person that causes difficulty or perplexity.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(mathematics)'' A [[proposition]] in which something is to be done or found.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Difficult to deal with or control: ''a problem child''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # Dealing with a moral or social problem.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[problematic]]

+ * [[ballistic]]

+ * [[emblem]]

+ * [[parable]]

+ * [[symbol]]

+ * [[hyperbole]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}