learn English · revision 3508

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=before 725 (Old English leornian)|origins=ine-pro *leis-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|lernen]], [[inh|ang|leornian|t=to get knowledge, be cultivated; to study]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[gem-pro|*liznōjanan]],^(Barnhart 1988) with a base sense “to follow or find the track”.^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) Its cognates include [[ofs|lernia]], [[osx|līnōn]] and [[de|lernen]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) and Gothic has lais “I know”.^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) Watkins traces it to [[ine-pro|*leis-|t=furrow, track]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) and outside Germanic it is related to Latin [[m|la|līra|t=furrow]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) The same base is in [[lore]] and in [[last#2|alt=last]] “shoemaker's model of a foot”, from Old English [[m|ang|lǣst|t=footprint]],^(Etymonline)^(COED 2004)^(Hoad 1986) and in the causative Old English [[m|ang|lǣran|t=to teach]], the source of [[lere]].^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To acquire knowledge of a subject or a skill: Old English ''leornian'', recorded before 725,^(Barnhart 1988) and about 900 in the OED's earliest quotation.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “To find out, hear of” a fact is from about 1200.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The transitive sense “to teach” (''he learned me to read'') is from about 1200 as well, and was acceptable until the early 19th century;^(Etymonline) it is now dialectal or vulgar.^(Hoad 1986)^(SOED 2002) The English Dialect Dictionary records it in Scotland, Ireland and many English counties, often in forms such as ''larn'' and ''lairn''.^(Wright 1898) The old passive participle survives in the adjective [[learned]], “having knowledge gained by study”,^(Etymonline) which in the 16th century took over the sense of Middle English ''lēred'', from ''lēren'' “to teach”.^(Hoad 1986) ''I am yet to learn'', “I don't know”, is from 1687,^(OED 1989) and ''learning curve'' and ''learning disability'' are later compounds.^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 725 – Old English ''leornian''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1200 – to find out; to teach.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 16th century – the adjective ''learned'', erudite.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * 1687 – ''I am yet to learn''.^(OED 1989)

+ * early 19th century – ''learn'' “teach” falls out of standard use.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To gain knowledge of, or skill in, something by study, experience or teaching.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # To fix in the memory; to [[memorize]].^(AHD)

+ # To become aware of; to find out.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(nonstandard)'' To teach.^(AHD)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[learnable]]

+ * [[learner]]

+ * [[mislearn]]

+ * [[outlearn]]

+ * [[relearn]]

+ * [[learned]]

+ * [[learning]]

+ * [[overlearn]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[lear]]

+ * [[lore]]

+ * [[lere]]

+ * [[last]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}