ahead English · revision 3339

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1568}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˈhed/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|a-|head|t1=on|t2=front]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(Hoad 1986) originally a nautical term, the opposite of [[astern]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) An earlier form was on head, from the 16th century.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ 1568 according to Merriam-Webster;^(MWU 2024) the OED's first quotation, “in a position pointing forward”, is from 1596,^(OED 1989) and Etymonline dates “at the head, in front” to the 1620s (1628).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “Forward, onward”, the sense in ''go ahead'', is from the 1640s;^(Etymonline) the OED records “headlong, at a rapid pace” from 1643 and plain forward motion from 1762.^(OED 1989) ''Ahead of'', “in front of”, is from 1748, and of time, “in advance of, before”, as in ''ahead of one's time'', from 1901.^(OED 1989) The adjective ''go-ahead'' is from 1846.^(OED 1989) SOED notes that the word, once nautical, is now used figuratively in all its senses.^(SOED 2002)^(OED 1989) In Devon dialect ''ahead'' meant “overhead”.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1568 – first known use (Merriam-Webster).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1596 – pointing forward.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1628 – at the head, in front.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1640s – forward, onward.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1748 – ''ahead of''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1846 – ''go-ahead''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1901 – ahead in time.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # In front; at or to the [[front]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Forward; onward: ''go ahead''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # In or into the future: ''plan ahead''.^(AHD)

+ # In advance; earlier.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # In a leading position: ''pulled ahead''.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[go-ahead]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ahead of]]

+ * [[head]]

+ * [[abreast]]

+ * [[astern]]

+ * [[aboard]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}