require English · revision 2963

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1381|origins=la quaerō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /rɪˈkwaɪə/, US /rɪˈkwaɪ.ɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|requeren]], later requiren,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|requerre|t=to seek, ask, demand]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la-vul|*requaerere]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|requīrere|t=to seek again, ask for]], altered after [[m|la|quaerere|t=to ask, seek]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|re-]], perhaps “repeatedly”, and quaerere.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The spelling was later assimilated to the Latin.^(Hoad 1986) It is related to [[query]], [[request]] and [[requisite]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To ask someone a question, to inquire: about 1381, in Chaucer's translation of Boethius,^(Barnhart 1988) the late 14th century in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) the OED's first example is from the 14th century.^(OED 1989) This sense is obsolete.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the 16th and 17th centuries it still commonly meant “to ask or request”, a sense since taken over by [[request]].^(Etymonline) Trench notes that it once lacked its present imperative force, quoting Henry VIII's will, which “requires and desires” the Virgin Mary to pray for him.^(Trench 1859) “To need, stand in need of” and “to ask for as a right” are also from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) and “to demand as necessary on general principles” from the early 15th century.^(Etymonline) “To demand that someone do something” is from 1751.^(Etymonline) ''Requirement'', at first “a request” (1530), meant “something needed” from 1662.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1381 – to ask a question.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 14th century – to need; to demand as a right.^(Etymonline)

+ * early 15th century – to demand as necessary.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1530 – ''requirement'', a request.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1662 – ''requirement'', something needed.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1751 – to demand that someone do something.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To need; to have as a [[requisite]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To call for as necessary or [[obligatory]]; to demand.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To oblige or [[compel]]: ''all visitors are required to sign in''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(archaic)'' To ask for; to request.^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[requirable]]

+ * [[requirer]]

+ * [[prerequire]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[requirement]]

+ * [[requisite]]

+ * [[request]]

+ * [[query]]

+ * [[quest]]

+ * [[inquire]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}