influence English · revision 3093

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1374|origins=la fluō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɪn.flu.əns/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|influence]],^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|influence|t=emanation from the stars; a flowing in]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la-med|influentia|t=a flowing in]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[la|influēns]], present participle of [[m|la|influere|t=to flow into]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|la|in-|t=into]] and [[m|la|fluere|t=to flow]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998) The same Medieval Latin word gave Italian influenza, the source of [[influenza]].^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In astrology, a streaming of ethereal fluid or power from the stars acting on people's character and destiny: about 1374 in the OED,^(OED 1989) the late 14th century in Etymonline, and about 1385 in Chaucer's ''Troilus and Criseyde'' in Barnhart.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Middle English the senses were impersonal, used of any outflowing that produced an effect, whether a fluid or an unseen force.^(Etymonline) The literal “inflow” is recorded in English from 1546.^(OED 1989) The astrological meaning gradually developed into the power of people to act on others,^(Barnhart 1988) the exertion of unseen influence by persons, from the 1580s^(Etymonline) (Shakespeare's ''Love's Labour's Lost'', 1588, in Barnhart),^(Barnhart 1988) a sense already found in Medieval Latin, as in Aquinas.^(Etymonline) The capacity to produce effects by invisible means is from 1652,^(OED 1989) and a person or thing that exerts influence from 1736.^(OED 1989) ''Under the influence'', “drunk”, is from 1866.^(OED 1989) The verb is from 1658, in a speech by Cromwell.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) ''Influential'' at first meant “having astral influence” (1570) and later “powerful” (1655).^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1374 – astral influence.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1546 – an inflow.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1588 – power over others.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1658 – verb.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1736 – a person who influences.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1866 – ''under the influence''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The power to affect people, things or events, especially without visible effort.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Power based on [[prestige]], wealth or position.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A person or thing that has such power: ''a bad influence''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(astrology)'' An [[ethereal]] fluid thought to flow from the stars and affect human destiny.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To affect or [[sway]] by indirect or intangible means.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To affect the nature or development of.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[influenceable]]

+ * [[influencer]]

+ * [[counterinfluence]]

+ * [[noninfluence]]

+ * [[interinfluence]]

+ * [[outinfluence]]

+ * [[overinfluence]]

+ * [[reinfluence]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[inflow]]

+ * [[influent]]

+ * [[influential]]

+ * [[influenza]]

+ * [[flu]]

+ * [[influx]]

+ * [[fluent]]

+ * [[fluid]]

+ * [[flux]]

+ * [[affluent]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}