correct English · revision 2889

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1340|origins=la regō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The verb is [[inh|enm|correcten]],^(MWU 2024) [[bor|la|corrēctus|t=made straight, amended]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) past participle of [[m|la|corrigere|t=to make straight, reform]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|la|com-]], perhaps intensive,^(Etymonline) and [[m|la|regere|t=to lead straight, rule]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[ine-pro|*reg-|t=to move in a straight line]].^(Etymonline) The adjective is [[bor|fr|correct|t=right, proper]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from the same Latin participle.^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998) It is related to [[right]], [[regent]] and [[incorrigible]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To set a person right by punishing, to discipline: the mid-14th century.^(Etymonline) Barnhart dates the verb 1345–46,^(Barnhart 1988) and the OED's first example, “to set right, amend (an error)”, is from 1340.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of texts, “to bring into agreement with a standard or original” is from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline) “To punish for faults” is from 1377,^(OED 1989) and the medical sense, to bring the bodily humours into a healthy state, from 1620.^(OED 1989) The adjective came later, from French: first in Dryden's writings in 1676,^(Barnhart 1988) of literary or artistic style in keeping with an accepted standard,^(OED 1989) then “true, accurate, free from error” from 1705,^(OED 1989) and of manners and behaviour from about 1800.^(OED 1989) Merriam-Webster dates the adjective 1668.^(MWU 2024) The ideological sense, “conforming to a doctrine”, was used of Maoist China from 1932,^(OED 1989) and the elliptical use for “[[politically correct]]” in North America from 1973.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1340 – verb, to amend an error.^(OED 1989)

+ * mid-14th century – to discipline.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1377 – to punish.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 14th century – to emend a text.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1668 – adjective.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1676 – adjective, of style, in Dryden.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1705 – free from error.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1973 – politically correct.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To remove the [[error|alt=errors]] from; to mark mistakes in: ''to correct homework''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To set right; to [[remedy]] or counteract.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To adjust to a required standard.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To punish in order to reform.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Free from error; [[accurate]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Conforming to accepted standards; [[proper]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Conforming to the requirements of a particular [[ideology]]: ''politically correct''.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[correctable]]

+ * [[correctly]]

+ * [[correctness]]

+ * [[corrector]]

+ * [[correctability]]

+ * [[correctingly]]

+ * [[hypercorrect]]

+ * [[incorrect]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[correction]]

+ * [[incorrigible]]

+ * [[right]]

+ * [[regent]]

+ * [[rule]]

+ * [[direct]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}