enter English · revision 3134

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1275|origins=la intrō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈen.tə/, US /ˈen.t̬ɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|entren]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) [[bor|fro|entrer|t=to enter, go in; to begin]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|intrāre|t=to go into, enter]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the source also of Spanish entrar and Italian entrare,^(Etymonline) from [[m|la|intrā|t=within]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) related to [[m|la|inter|t=between, among]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) a comparative of [[ine-pro|*en|t=in]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To go into a place, to join a group: about 1275 in Barnhart^(Barnhart 1988) and the late 13th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The OED's first example is from 1297.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Latin the verb was transitive and intransitive, in French intransitive only.^(Etymonline) “To make one's entrance”, of an actor coming on stage, is from before 1300.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) “To engage in an activity” is from about 1300,^(Etymonline) and in the late 14th century it meant “to penetrate”, “to have sexual intercourse with”, “to make an entry in a record” and “to take up an office”.^(Etymonline) In law, “to take possession of land as owner” is from 1523.^(OED 1989) The OED also records a noun ''enter'', “the act of entering”, from about 1430.^(OED 1989) In Scots and northern dialect ''enter'' meant “to begin, undertake”.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1275 – to go into.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1300 – of an actor, to come on stage.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1300 – to take part in.^(Etymonline)

+ * late 14th century – to record; to penetrate.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1430 – noun, the act of entering.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1523 – to take possession of land.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To come or go into: ''enter a room''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To become a member of or take part in; to [[join]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To put information into a list, record or computer.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To begin; to [[embark]] on: ''enter a new phase''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To [[penetrate]] or pierce.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(law)'' To place formally on record: ''enter a plea''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[enterable]]

+ * [[enterer]]

+ * [[unentered]]

+ * [[entrance]]

+ * [[reenter]]

+ * [[breaking and entering]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[entry]]

+ * [[entrant]]

+ * [[inter]]

+ * [[interior]]

+ * [[intra-]]

+ * [[intrinsic]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}