commercial English · revision 2686

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1598}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /kəˈmɜː.ʃəl/, US /kəˈmɝː.ʃəl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|commerce|-ial]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “Engaged in commerce, trading”: 1598 in Merriam-Webster,^(MWU 2024) the late 16th century in the SOED,^(SOED 2002) the 1680s in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and before 1687 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Johnson (1755) defined it as “relating to commerce or traffick”.^(Johnson 1755) ''Commercial law'' and ''commercial treaty'' are from 1744.^(OED 1989) Of products, “prepared for the market, of ordinary trade quality”, often implying impurity, it is from about 1865,^(OED 1989) and of art or other work, “done chiefly for profit”, often disparagingly, from 1871.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) “Paid for by advertising”, of radio or television, is from 1932,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the noun, “an advertisement broadcast on radio or television”, from 1935.^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) Earlier the noun was short for ''commercial traveller'', a travelling salesman, from 1855.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) A commercial vehicle carrying goods is from 1907.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1598 – engaged in commerce.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1744 – ''commercial law''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1855 – noun, a commercial traveller.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1871 – done for profit.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1932 – paid for by advertisements.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1935 – noun, a broadcast advertisement.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of or relating to [[commerce]] or [[trade]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Made or done chiefly to make a [[profit]], sometimes at the expense of quality.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # Of broadcasting: paid for by advertisers.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # Of goods: produced in large quantities, often unrefined, for industry.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # An advertisement on television or radio.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[commercially]]

+ * [[commerciality]]

+ * [[infomercial]]

+ * [[anticommercial]]

+ * [[commercialise]]

+ * [[commercialism]]

+ * [[countercommercial]]

+ * [[noncommercial]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[commerce]]

+ * [[commercialize]]

+ * [[precommercial]]

+ * [[merchant]]

+ * [[mercantile]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}