link English · revision 3227

+ English has two main words spelled ''link'': the loop of a chain, from Scandinavian, and the torch, perhaps from Medieval Latin. [[links]], ground for golf, is a third word, from Old English hlinc “ridge”.^(AHD 2000)^(SOED 2002)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /lɪŋk/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ {{homograph|1|loop of a chain}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1415|origins=gem-pro *hlankijaz}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The loop of a chain is [[inh|enm|linke]],^(AHD 2000)^(Barnhart 1988) probably [[bor|non|*hlenkr]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000)^(Hoad 1986) compare Old Norse hlekkr “link”, in the plural “chain”, Old Swedish lænker and German Gelenk “joint”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[gem-pro|*hlankijaz]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[ine-pro|*kleng-|t=to bend, turn]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[lank]], [[flank]] and [[flinch]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) and to Old English hlencan “armour”.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) The noun is not found in Old English.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A section of a rope or cord: before 1415, in Wycliffe's ''Lantern of Light'',^(Barnhart 1988) and a link of a chain from about 1443,^(Barnhart 1988) or about 1450.^(OED 1989) The verb, “to bind, fasten”, is from about 1385, in Usk, suggesting a gap in the record of the noun.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A division of a chain of sausages is from the mid-15th century.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Anything that connects one thing with another is from the 1540s.^(Etymonline) A hundredth part of a surveyor's chain is from 1661,^(OED 1989) and a cufflink, short for sleeve-link, from 1807.^(OED 1989) The intransitive verb, “to become connected, join in marriage”, is from the 1530s.^(Etymonline) The ''missing link'' between humans and apes dates to 1880.^(Etymonline) A means of telecommunication between two points is from 1911.^(Etymonline) ''Linkage'' is from 1874.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1385 – verb, to fasten.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1415 – a section of a cord.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1443 – a link of a chain.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * mid-15th century – a sausage link.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1540s – any connecting thing.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1807 – a cufflink.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1880 – ''missing link''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1911 – a telecommunication link.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # One of the rings or loops of a [[chain]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # A connection or relationship between things or people.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A unit in a transport or communications system: ''a rail link''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A [[cufflink]].^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To connect or join.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[linkage]]

+ * [[cufflink]]

+ * [[missing link]]

+ * [[linkup]]

+

+ {{homograph|2|torch}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=borrowing|attested=1526}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The torch is of uncertain origin,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) possibly [[der|la-med|linchinus|t=candle, wick]], an alteration of lichinus,^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000)^(SOED 2002) from [[la|lychnus|t=lamp]], from [[grc|λύχνος|tr=lúkhnos|t=portable light, lamp]],^(AHD 2000)^(Etymonline) from [[ine-pro|*leuk-|t=light, brightness]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A torch of tow and pitch: 1526^(OED 1989) or the 1520s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A link lit the way through dark streets.^(AHD) The OED also records the word from 1845 for a link-boy.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1526 – a torch of tow and pitch.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(historical)'' A [[torch]] once used to light one's way in the streets.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[linkboy]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[lank]]

+ * [[flank]]

+ * [[flinch]]

+ * [[links]]

+ * [[lychnis]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}