address English · revision 2685

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1325|origins=la dīrēctus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: verb: /əˈdres/; noun: UK /əˈdres/, US /ˈæd.res/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|adressen]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|adrecier|t=to go straight toward; to straighten, set right; to direct]] (modern adresser),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la-vul|*addīrēctiāre|t=to make straight]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the source also of Spanish aderezar and Italian addirizzare,^(Etymonline) from ad- “to” and *dīrēctiāre “to straighten”, from [[la|dīrēctus|t=straight]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) the source of [[direct]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021) The spelling with -dd- is a false re-Latinization of the prefix, attempted in France in the 15th century without success, which stuck in English.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The noun is partly from the verb and partly from French adresse.^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) Compare [[dress]].^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “To guide, aim, direct”: before 1325,^(Barnhart 1988) the early 14th century;^(Etymonline) this oldest sense survives in golf, in ''address the ball''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From the late 14th century the verb also meant “to set in order, repair, correct”,^(Etymonline) and to straighten up or set up, to prepare, to dress, all now obsolete.^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) “To write directions for delivery on (a letter)” is from the mid-15th century,^(Etymonline) and “to direct spoken words to (someone)” from the late 15th century.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) The noun, “a dutiful or courteous approach”, is from 1539^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) or the 1530s;^(Etymonline) skill or readiness in dealing with things, as in ''with great address'', is from the 1590s.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A formal speech to an audience, as in the ''Gettysburg Address'', is from 1751.^(Etymonline) The direction written on a letter is from 1712,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) which led to the meaning “place of residence” by about 1816.^(Etymonline) In computing an address is from 1948.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1325 – verb, to guide, direct.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 14th century – to set in order.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-15th century – to direct (a letter).^(Etymonline)

+ * late 15th century – to speak to.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1539 – noun, a courteous approach.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1590s – skill, dexterity.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1712 – the direction on a letter.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1751 – a formal speech.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1816 – place of residence.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1948 – in computing.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The details of where a person lives or an organization is, used for sending [[mail]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A formal [[speech]] to an audience.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(computing)'' A number or string that identifies a location in memory or on a network: ''an email address''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # Skill and readiness in dealing with something.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''addresses'': ''(archaic)'' Courteous attentions, especially in courtship.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To speak or write to someone; to make a formal speech to.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To write the name and address on (an envelope or parcel).^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To deal with (a problem or issue).^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To call by a particular name or title.^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(golf)'' To take one's stance ready to hit (the ball).^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[addresser]]

+ * [[addressograph]]

+ * [[multiaddress]]

+ * [[subaddress]]

+ * [[addressee]]

+ * [[addressable]]

+ * [[misaddress]]

+ * [[preaddress]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[direct]]

+ * [[dress]]

+ * [[redress]]

+ * [[direction]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In American English the noun is often stressed on the first syllable, /ˈæd.res/, while British English stresses the second.^(Roach et al. 2011)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}