ex English · revision 2874

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=clipping|attested=1827|origins=la ex}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The noun is a shortening of words formed with the prefix [[ex-]], “former”, such as ex-husband and ex-wife;^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline says it was first short for ex-Catholic.^(Etymonline) The preposition is [[bor|la|ex|t=out of]],^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) the source of the prefix.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The noun, one who formerly held a position: 1827.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The adjective, “former, outdated”, is from 1823.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As a former husband or wife it is from 1929 in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The preposition is used in Latin phrases, as ''ex officio'' (16th century) and ''ex cathedra'' (19th century),^(Hoad 1986) and in commerce, “without, excluding”, as in ''ex dividend'', from 1845.^(OED 1989) The verb ''ex'', to cross out with an x, is from before 1849.^(OED 1989) ''Exes'', expenses, is colloquial from 1864.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1823 – adjective, former.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1827 – noun, a former office-holder.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1845 – preposition, without.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1849 – verb, to cross out.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1929 – a former spouse.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(informal)'' A former husband, wife or [[partner]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A person who formerly held a position or belonged to a group.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ # The letter [[x]].^(AHD)

+

+ ===Preposition===

+ # ''(commerce)'' Without, not including: ''ex dividend''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Sold from or delivered at: ''ex works''.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ex-]]

+ * [[exit]]

+ * [[exodus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}