technical English · revision 3489

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1617|origins=grc τέχνη}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈtek.nɪ.kᵊl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It was formed in English, probably [[der|grc|τεχνικός|tr=tekhnikós|t=of art, skilful, systematic]] with the suffix [[-al]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|grc|τέχνη|tr=tékhnē|t=art, skill, craft]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) It may also be an extended form of the older adjective technic (1612).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster relates the Greek word to tektōn “carpenter, builder”.^(MWU 2024) It is related to [[technique]], [[technology]] and [[text]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of a person, skilled in a particular art or subject: 1617, in John Hales's ''Sermons'',^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) the 1610s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of words and terms, “peculiar to an art or profession”, it is from 1634 in the OED^(OED 1989) and the 1650s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The narrower sense, “belonging to the mechanical and professional arts, appropriate to a trade”, is first in Chambers's ''Cyclopaedia'' (1727–41).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) “So regarded from a strict or legal point of view”, as in ''a technical offence'', is from 1860.^(OED 1989) The ''technical knockout'' in boxing is from 1921, and the ''technical foul'' in basketball from 1934.^(Etymonline) ''Technicality'' is from 1814, in Scott's ''Waverley''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1617 – skilled in an art.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1634 – of terms, specialized.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1727–41 – of the mechanical arts.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1814 – ''technicality''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1860 – so regarded in a strict sense.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1921 – ''technical knockout''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Relating to a particular science, art, craft or profession; specialized: ''technical terms''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Relating to practical, mechanical or applied sciences.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Having special practical knowledge or skill.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Relating to [[technique]]: ''technical skill''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # According to a strict interpretation of rules: ''a technical violation''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(basketball)'' A technical foul.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[technically]]

+ * [[technicalness]]

+ * [[technicality]]

+ * [[biotechnical]]

+ * [[geotechnical]]

+ * [[hypertechnical]]

+ * [[overtechnical]]

+ * [[pretechnical]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[technological]]

+ * [[technology]]

+ * [[technique]]

+ * [[technician]]

+ * [[text]]

+ * [[architect]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}