contact English · revision 3232

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1626, Bacon|origins=la tangere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈkɒn.tækt/, US /ˈkɑːn.tækt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|contāctus|t=a touching]], perhaps through French contact,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) from the past participle of [[m|la|contingere|t=to touch closely, border on]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|la|com-|t=with, together]] and [[m|la|tangere|t=to touch]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) from [[ine-pro|*tag-|t=to touch, handle]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) Latin contāctus was used especially of touching something unclean, contamination.^(Etymonline) It is related to [[contagion]], [[contaminate]] and [[tangent]].^(Cresswell 2021)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The action or state of touching: 1626, in Bacon's ''Sylva Sylvarum''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The figurative sense “connection, communication”, as in ''to come in contact with'', is from 1818, in Byron's ''Childe Harold''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''To make contact'' first referred to electric circuits, from about 1860.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A person exposed to an infection by being near a sufferer is a contact from 1901,^(OED 1989) and a person who can be called on for help or information by 1931.^(Etymonline) As a signal before swinging an aircraft propeller, meaning the ignition is on, ''contact!'' was in use by 1913.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The ''contact lens'' is first recorded in 1888, in a translation of an article by A. Eugen Fick,^(Etymonline) and ''contacts'' for contact lenses from 1957.^(Etymonline) The verb meant “to put in contact” in 1834,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and “to get in touch with someone” from 1927, in American English.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1626 – touching.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1818 – connection, communication.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1834 – verb, to put in contact.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1860 – electrical contact.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1888 – ''contact lens''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1901 – a person exposed to infection.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1927 – verb, to get in touch with.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1931 – a useful acquaintance.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The state or act of touching.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Communication or connection: ''keep in contact''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A person one knows who can help or give information.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A person who has been near someone with an [[infection|alt=infectious]] disease.^(OED 1989)

+ # An [[electrical]] connection, or a part through which current passes.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(informal, plural)'' [[contact lens|alt=Contact lenses]].^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To get in touch with; to [[communicate]] with.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To bring or come into contact.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[contactual]]

+ * [[contactually]]

+ * [[precontact]]

+ * [[noncontact]]

+ * [[uncontacted]]

+ * [[contactor]]

+ * [[recontact]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[contagion]]

+ * [[contaminate]]

+ * [[contingent]]

+ * [[contiguous]]

+ * [[tangent]]

+ * [[tangible]]

+ * [[tact]]

+ * [[intact]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}