option English · revision 2919

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1593|origins=la optiō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈɒp.ʃᵊn/, US /ˈɑːp.ʃᵊn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|option]], Old French opcion,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|optiō|t=choice, free choice]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) related to [[m|la|optāre|t=to desire, pray for, choose]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) which is of uncertain origin.^(Etymonline) Barnhart connects it with Umbrian upetu “let him choose”,^(Barnhart 1988) and De Vaan derives it from [[itc-pro|*opeje-|t=to choose, grab]].^(Etymonline) The verb is from the noun.^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The act of choosing: 1593 in Merriam-Webster,^(MWU 2024) 1604 in Cawdrey's ''Table Alphabeticall'' in Barnhart and the OED,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and about 1600 in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Power or freedom of choosing is from 1633.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) The commercial sense, the right, paid for, to buy or sell something at a fixed price within a set time, is from 1755,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and the verb in this sense from 1880 in American English^(Etymonline) and 1934 in the OED.^(OED 1989) A thing that may be chosen is from 1885.^(Etymonline) ''With the option of a fine'' is from 1901.^(OED 1989) In American football an ''option'' play, in which the back may pass or run, is from 1953.^(Etymonline) ''Optional'' is from 1765.^(Barnhart 1988) ''Keep one's options open'' is only recorded from the 1960s.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1593 – the act of choosing.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1633 – freedom of choice.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1755 – a right to buy or sell.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1765 – ''optional''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1885 – a thing that may be chosen.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1934 – verb, to buy an option on.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1960s – ''keep one's options open''.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of [[choose|alt=choosing]]; a choice.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The power or freedom to choose.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Something that may be chosen: ''there are three options''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(finance)'' A right, bought for a fee, to buy or sell something at a set price within a set time.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To buy or sell an option on: ''the film rights were optioned''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[optionable]]

+ * [[optionee]]

+ * [[preoption]]

+ * [[optional]]

+ * [[local option]]

+ * [[negative option]]

+ * [[stock option]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[opt]]

+ * [[adopt]]

+ * [[co-opt]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}