similar English · revision 2541

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1611 (Cotgrave)|origins=la similis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈsɪm.ɪ.lə/, US /ˈsɪm.ə.lɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|similaire]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) perhaps also from Medieval Latin [[m|la-med|*similāris]], an extended form of [[la|similis|t=like, resembling, of the same kind]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) Latin ''similis'' is from Old Latin [[m|la|semol|t=together]],^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) from [[ine-pro|*sem-|t=one; as one, together with]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000)^(Hoad 1986) An earlier form, [[similary]], is recorded from the 1560s.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) It is related to [[same]], [[simile]], [[assimilate]], [[resemble]] and [[simulate]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Klein 1966)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Having a marked likeness, of a like kind: 1611, in Cotgrave's dictionary.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Chiefly in anatomy, ''similar'' also meant “of the same substance throughout, homogeneous”, from 1626 to the early 18th century.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)^(Cresswell 2021) In mathematics, similar figures, with equal angles and proportional sides, are recorded from 1704.^(OED 1989) In music, ''similar motion'', in which voices move in the same direction, is from 1861.^(OED 1989) The noun “that which is similar” is from the 1650s,^(Etymonline) or 1654 according to Merriam-Webster.^(MWU 2024) ''Similarity'' is from 1664.^(Barnhart 1988) In Perthshire dialect, ''similar the same'' meant “nearly the same”.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1560s – earlier form ''similary''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1611 – having a resemblance (Cotgrave).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1626 – homogeneous (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1650s – noun, something similar.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1664 – ''similarity''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1704 – in geometry.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1861 – ''similar motion'' in music.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Alike in appearance or nature, though not identical.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # ''(geometry)'' Having equal corresponding angles and [[proportional]] sides.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # Something similar to another.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[similarly]]

+ * [[nonsimilar]]

+ * [[unsimilar]]

+ * [[self-similar]]

+ * [[similarity]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dissimilar]]

+ * [[same]]

+ * [[simile]]

+ * [[assimilate]]

+ * [[resemble]]

+ * [[simulate]]

+ * [[semblance]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}