style English · revision 2580

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1325 (Cursor Mundi)|origins=la stilus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /staɪl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|stile]], [[bor|fro|stile]], [[m|fro|estile|t=stake; style, fashion]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) from [[la|stilus|t=stake; pointed instrument for writing on wax; manner of writing]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MW Collegiate) perhaps from the same source as [[stick]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) The spelling with y is due to association with Greek [[m|grc|στῦλος|tr=stûlos|t=pillar]], which is probably not related.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) [[stylus]] is a later borrowing of the Latin word.^(AHD 2000)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A designation or title: before 1325, in the ''Cursor Mundi'',^(Barnhart 1988) and in the early 14th century also a writing instrument and a piece of writing.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Etymonline traces the sense from “writing tool” to “writing”, to “manner of writing”, to a writer's manner of expression, by the early 14th century,^(Etymonline) and Barnhart dates “manner of expression” to before 1338, in Mannyng.^(Barnhart 1988) It then spread to modes of expression in other activities, to a distinctive manner of presentation, and to any particular form, by the late 18th century.^(Etymonline) ''Style'' contrasted with ''substance'' is by the 1570s, ''style'' alone meaning “good style” by the 1580s, and “fine appearance” by 1807.^(Etymonline) An artist's particular mode is from 1706, a kind or sort by 1794, and a fashion of dress from 1814.^(Etymonline) The verb meant “to address with a title” about 1500 and “to name” from the 1560s;^(Etymonline) “to arrange in a fashionable style”, especially hair, is by 1934.^(Etymonline) The pin of a sundial and the part of a flower's pistil are also ''styles''.^(HTOED)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1325 – a title (''Cursor Mundi'').^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * early 14th century – a manner of writing.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1500 – verb, to address by title.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1570s – contrasted with substance.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1706 – an artist's style.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1814 – a fashion of dress.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1934 – verb, to style hair.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The way in which something is said, done or performed; [[manner]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # The distinctive features of the expression of a person, group or period in art or literature.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # Elegance, flair; a fashion, especially in dress.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A sort or type.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # The rules of spelling, punctuation and typography followed by a publisher.^(AHD)

+ # A [[stylus]]; the pin of a [[sundial]]; part of a flower's [[pistil]].^(AHD)^(HTOED)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To call or name; to designate.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To give style to; to arrange fashionably.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To make consistent with rules of style.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[styler]]

+ * [[styling]]

+ * [[stylist]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[stylus]]

+ * [[stylish]]

+ * [[stylistic]]

+ * [[stiletto]]

+ * [[stimulus]]

+ * [[stick]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}