august English · revision 3417

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=1581|origins=la augustus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ɔːˈɡʌst/, US /ɑːˈɡʌst/, /ɔːˈɡʌst/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|auguste]] or directly [[bor|la|augustus|t=venerable, majestic, noble; consecrated]],^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004)^(Barnhart 1988) perhaps originally “consecrated by the augurs, with favourable auguries”, related to [[augur]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MW Collegiate) or, according to de Vaan, “that which is increased”, from [[m|la|augeō|t=to increase]], the source of [[augment]].^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(Klein 1966) ''Augustus'' was assumed as a title by the Roman emperors after Julius Caesar.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Inspiring reverence and admiration: 1664,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) or the 1660s;^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster dates it to 1581,^(MW Collegiate)^(MWU 2024) and the HTOED to 1594.^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “Venerable by birth or position, dignified” is from 1673.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) A rare verb ''august'', “to ripen”, after French [[m|fr|aoûter]], is recorded from 1693.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1581 – adjective (Merriam-Webster).^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1664 – inspiring reverence.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1673 – of stately dignity.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Inspiring awe or admiration; [[majestic]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Venerable because of age or high rank.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[augustly]]

+ * [[augustness]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[Augustine]]

+ * [[Augustinian]]

+ * [[auction]]

+ * [[augment]]

+ * [[August]]

+ * [[augur]]

+ * [[auxiliary]]

+ * [[inaugurate]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The month [[August]], stressed on the first syllable, is the same Latin word, the sixth month of the later Roman calendar, renamed from Sextilis in 8 BC in honour of the emperor Augustus;^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) in Old English it replaced the native Wēodmōnaþ “weed month”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The adjective is stressed on the second syllable.^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}