guess English · revision 2554

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1303 (Mannyng)|origins=gem-pro *getaną}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɡes/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|gessen|t=to suppose, think]], probably borrowed from a Scandinavian source,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000)^(Klein 1966) such as Middle Danish gitse or Old Swedish [[m|gmq-osw|gissa]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002)^(Hoad 1986) or from or influenced by Middle Dutch [[m|dum|gissen]] and Middle Low German [[m|gml|gissen]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004) The SOED and Hoad think it was perhaps originally a nautical word.^(SOED 2002)^(Hoad 1986) All of these go back to the base of [[gem-pro|*getaną|t=to get]], the source of [[get]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(Barnhart 1988) and Barnhart reconstructs a desiderative [[m|gem-pro|*getiskanan]].^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline sees a development from “get” to “take aim at” to “estimate”.^(Etymonline) The spelling with gu- dates from the late 16th century, and is sometimes attributed to Caxton's time as a printer in Bruges.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To suppose, assume, think: about 1303, in Mannyng's ''Handlyng Synne'',^(Barnhart 1988) or about 1300.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Middle English the verb meant “to infer from observation, judge, estimate”,^(Etymonline) and also “to take aim”.^(Hoad 1986)^(OED 1989) To form an approximate judgement of a size or amount is from 1340.^(OED 1989) The noun, “a doubtful supposition”, is from about 1300,^(Etymonline) or about 1330.^(OED 1989) “To hit upon the right answer” is from the 1540s.^(Etymonline) Bartlett's ''Dictionary of Americanisms'' (1848) noted that in America, especially New England, ''guess'' was constantly used for “believe, suppose, think”.^(Etymonline)^(Bartlett 1848) ''Guessing game'' is from the 1650s, ''keep someone guessing'' American English from 1896, and ''your guess is as good as mine'' from 1902.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1300 – noun, a supposition.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1303 – verb, to suppose (Mannyng).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1340 – verb, to estimate.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1540s – verb, to guess correctly.^(Etymonline)

+ * late 16th century – the spelling ''guess''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1650s – ''guessing game''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1848 – American ''I guess'' noted (Bartlett).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1896 – ''keep someone guessing''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To predict or assume without enough information.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # To estimate or judge correctly.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(chiefly US)'' To suppose, think.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # An act of guessing; a [[conjecture]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[guesser]]

+ * [[guessable]]

+ * [[guessingly]]

+ * [[guesstimate]]

+ * [[guesswork]]

+ * [[guestimate]]

+ * [[outguess]]

+ * [[second-guess]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[get]]

+ * [[forget]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A separate dialect adjective ''guess'', of a cow or ewe, “barren”, is recorded from 1736.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}