size English · revision 3456
15 Oct 2026, 19:45 by bogdan “New entries from the en10k word list (league … forward)” current version
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+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA: /saɪz/^(Roach et al. 2011)
+
+ {{homograph|1|dimensions}}
+
+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1300 (Arthour and Merlin)|origins=la assidēre}}
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ The dimensions are [[inh|enm|sise]], [[bor|fro|sise]], short for [[m|fro|assise|t=session, assessment, regulation, manner]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) the source of [[assize]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021) a noun use of the past participle of [[m|fro|asseoir|t=to cause to sit]],^(Etymonline) from [[la|assidēre|t=to sit beside; to sit in judgement]],^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) from [[m|la|ad|t=to]] and [[m|la|sedēre|t=to sit]].^(Etymonline) Etymonline suggests the French form arose by misdivision of l'assise as la sise.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ Manner, style: probably before 1300, in ''Arthour and Merlin'',^(Barnhart 1988) and an ordinance or law about 1300;^(Barnhart 1988) an assize for the administration of justice is from before 1300.^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ The sense “extent, magnitude” arose from the regulation of weights and food portions by fixing their amount:^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) it is first recorded about 1303, in Mannyng's ''Handlyng Synne'',^(Barnhart 1988) and Etymonline has “quantity, length, stature” about 1300.^(Etymonline) A fixed standard of food or drink is from about 1479,^(OED 1989) and at Cambridge a portion of food is a ''size'', hence [[sizar]].^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) One of a graduated set of dimensions of manufactured goods is from the 1590s, first of shoes.^(Etymonline) The verb meant “to regulate” about 1400;^(Etymonline) “to make of a certain size” is from about 1600, “to sort by size” from the 1630s, and ''size up'', “to estimate”, from 1847.^(Etymonline) ''Try it on for size'' is by 1956.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * before 1300 – manner; an assize.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)
+ * c. 1303 – magnitude (Mannyng).^(Barnhart 1988)
+ * c. 1400 – verb, to regulate.^(Etymonline)
+ * 1590s – a size of shoe.^(Etymonline)
+ * c. 1600 – verb, to make of a certain size.^(Etymonline)
+ * 1847 – ''size up''.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Noun===
+ # The physical dimensions or extent of something.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)
+ # Any of a series of graded dimensions by which clothing and other goods are classified.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)
+ # Considerable extent or amount; relative amount.^(AHD)
+
+ ===Verb===
+ # To arrange or classify by size; to make to a required size.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)
+ # ''size up'': to assess.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[sizable]]
+ * [[sizeable]]
+ * [[sizar]]
+ * [[oversize]]
+ * [[undersize]]
+ * [[king-size]]
+ * [[downsize]]
+
+ {{homograph|2|glaze, glue}}
+
+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1325|origins=fro sise}}
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ The glaze is [[inh|enm|sise]], probably [[bor|frm|sise|t=a setting, fixing]], a special use of the same Old French word that gave [[size#1]], short for [[m|fro|assise]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000)^(MWU 2024) The SOED and the COED say only that it is perhaps the same word.^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004) Klein derives it instead from Italian [[m|it|sisa|t=painter's glue]], short for assisa, ultimately the same Latin word.^(Klein 1966)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ A sticky substance for sealing surfaces: about 1325,^(Barnhart 1988) or about 1440 as a wash applied to paper, parchment or cloth.^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ A semi-solid glue for gilding and painting is from 1530.^(OED 1989)^(HTOED) The verb “to coat with size” is figurative in 1633 and literal from 1667.^(Barnhart 1988) In weaving, size strengthens the warp, a sense recorded in the English Dialect Dictionary.^(Wright 1898)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 1325 – a sticky substance.^(Barnhart 1988)
+ * 1530 – a glue.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1633 – verb, figuratively.^(Barnhart 1988)
+ * 1667 – verb, to coat with size.^(Barnhart 1988)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Noun===
+ # A gelatinous or glutinous substance used to glaze or fill porous materials such as paper, cloth or plaster.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)
+
+ ===Verb===
+ # To treat or coat with size.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1988)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[sizing]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[size up]]
+ * [[size-up]]
+ * [[assize]]
+ * [[assess]]
+ * [[session]]
+ * [[sediment]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}