challenge English · revision 2713

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1200, Ancrene Riwle|origins=la calumnia}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈtʃæl.ɪndʒ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The verb is [[inh|enm|chalengen]], calengen “to accuse, claim”,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|chalengier]], chalongier, Old North French calengier,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|calumniārī|t=to accuse falsely, slander]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|la|calumnia|t=trickery, false accusation]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the source of [[calumny]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021) The noun is Old French chalenge, from the same Latin calumnia.^(Hoad 1986)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The verb, “to rebuke”: about 1200,^(Etymonline) probably before 1200, in the ''Ancrene Riwle''.^(Barnhart 1988) The noun, an accusation, a charge or reproach, is from before 1300,^(OED 1989) and probably before 1325 in Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1988) The word was first recorded in the senses “accusation” and “to accuse”.^(Cresswell 2021)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The verb meant “to object to” from the late 13th century and “to accuse”, especially falsely, about 1300;^(Etymonline) Middle English also used it for “to lay claim to”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The sense “to call to fight” is from the late 14th century (about 1380, in ''Sir Ferumbras''),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) and “to call in question, dispute” from about 1395, in Chaucer.^(Barnhart 1988) The noun likewise meant a claim, often a false one, from about 1314,^(OED 1989) and an invitation to a contest from about 1325.^(OED 1989) The accusatory connotations faded in the 17th century.^(Etymonline) The sentry's demand for the password is from 1375,^(OED 1989) a summons to a duel from 1530,^(OED 1989) and in law an objection to a juror from the mid-15th century.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) The weakened sense “a difficult task, a test of one's abilities” is from 1954.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1200 – verb, to rebuke.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1300 – noun, an accusation.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1314 – noun, a claim.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1325 – noun, an invitation to a contest.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1380 – verb, to challenge to combat.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1375 – a sentry's challenge.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1395 – verb, to call in question.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1530 – a summons to a duel.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1954 – a demanding task.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A call to take part in a contest, fight or competition.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A demand for an explanation; a calling into question.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A difficult task that tests one's ability.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # A [[sentry]]'s demand that someone identify himself.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(law)'' A formal [[objection]], especially to a [[juror]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To call to a contest or fight; to [[dare]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To question or [[dispute]]; to take exception to.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To order to halt and be identified.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To test the abilities of; to stimulate.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To object formally to a juror.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[challengeable]]

+ * [[challenger]]

+ * [[challenged]]

+ * [[prechallenge]]

+ * [[rechallenge]]

+ * [[unchallengeable]]

+ * [[unchallenged]]

+ * [[peremptory challenge]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[challenging]]

+ * [[calumny]]

+ * [[calumniate]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}