welcome English · revision 3223

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=c. 725, Beowulf}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|welcume]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) [[inh|ang|wilcuma|t=welcome guest, welcome!]], with the first part altered under the influence of [[well]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) [[af|ang|willa|cuma|t1=pleasure, desire, will|t2=guest, comer]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(COED 2004) the second related to [[m|ang|cuman|t=to come]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Etymologically it is “one whose coming suits another's wish”.^(Etymonline) Old High German willicomo is a similar formation.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The change of wil- to wel- may also reflect Old Norse velkominn or Old French bien venu.^(COED 2004)^(Hoad 1986)^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to [[will]] and [[come]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The noun, “a welcome guest”, is found about 725, in ''Beowulf'',^(Barnhart 1988) and the adjective “acceptable” there too;^(Barnhart 1988) the greeting wilcuma is from about 890.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The verb, Old English wilcumian, “to greet kindly”, is from about 1000.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The form welcume is from about 1150.^(Barnhart 1988) Of things and events, “gladly permitted”, is from about 1200.^(Etymonline) The noun meaning a kindly greeting or reception is from 1525.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) ''You're welcome'', in answer to thanks, is attested by 1907.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The ''welcome mat'' is by 1908, and the ''welcome wagon'' from 1940.^(Etymonline) The surname Welcome is from the 13th century, though some forms may come from well-kembed, “with a well-trimmed beard”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 725 – a welcome guest; acceptable.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 890 – the greeting wilcuma.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1000 – verb, to greet kindly.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1150 – the form welcume.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1525 – noun, a kindly greeting.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1907 – ''you're welcome''.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1908 – ''welcome mat''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Interjection===

+ # Used to greet a visitor or new arrival.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Gladly received: ''a welcome guest''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Giving pleasure; agreeable: ''welcome news''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Freely allowed: ''you're welcome to try''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(you're welcome)'' Said in reply to thanks.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A friendly greeting or reception.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To greet or receive someone gladly.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To accept gladly: ''welcome the news''.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[welcomely]]

+ * [[welcomeness]]

+ * [[welcomer]]

+ * [[unwelcome]]

+ * [[unwelcomed]]

+ * [[unwelcoming]]

+ * [[welcome mat]]

+ * [[Welcome Wagon]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[well]]

+ * [[will]]

+ * [[come]]

+ * [[farewell]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Scots and northern English dialect ''as welcome as two fiddlers'' meant “very welcome”, but ''as welcome as water in one's shoes'' meant “not welcome at all”.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}