aktiv German · revision 35268

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1563|origins=la agō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * [akˈtiːf]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''aktiv''' (strong nominative masculine singular aktiver, comparative aktiver, superlative am aktivsten)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|āctīvus|t=active, practical]], formed from [[m|la|agō|t=to drive, do, act]], past participle [[m|la|āctus]].^(Kluge 2011|26)^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden 7 2020|86)^(Wahrig Herkunftswörterbuch) Until the 18th century it was mostly used as an adverb, after [[m|la|āctīvē]];^(Pfeifer 1993)^(DFWB) DFWB allows for the influence of [[fr|actif]] once it was in continuous use from the early 18th century.^(Pfeifer 1993)^(DFWB) The same loan is [[nl|actief]], [[en|active]] and [[sv|aktiv]].^(Kluge 2011|26) Of the same Latin family are [[agieren]] and [[Akt]].^(Kluge 2011|26)

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+ The neuter noun “Aktiv” “working group of activists”, current in East Germany, was modelled on [[ru|актив|tr=aktív]].^(Kluge 2011|26)^(Pfeifer 1993)^(DWB2|2, 161)

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+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The Latin adverb ''active'' is used in German texts from 1541, and the German form from 1563, in a theological text saying that a man dead to the good cannot be ''activ'' in his conversion, but only passive.^(Paul 2002)^(DFWB) The earliest sense is “acting”, as the opposite of [[passiv]].^(Paul 2002)

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+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From the 17th century it also meant “energetic, busy, enterprising” (1641: a man who is ''activ'' and knows his way in the world).^(Paul 2002)^(DFWB) From about 1700 it was used in commerce (''Activ und Passiv Schulden'', Stieler 1674, ''Aktivposten'', 1769), and the noun ''Aktiva'' “assets” dates from the 18th century.^(Paul 2002)^(Kluge 2011|26)^(Duden 7 2020|86) It became very common from the end of the 18th century.^(Pfeifer 1993) In the army from 1808 it meant “in active service”, then also in student fraternities, politics and sport.^(Paul 2002)^(Pfeifer 1993) Legal and political phrases are ''aktive Bestechung'' (Börne, 1832) and ''aktives Wahlrecht'' (1881).^(Paul 2002) In the sciences it came to mean “strongly reactive” and, in ''radioaktiv'' (1903), “emitting radiation”.^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Paul 2002)

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+ The grammatical noun ''Aktiv'' “active voice” was used in the Latin form ''Activum'' from the 17th century and appears without the ending in the 19th.^(Kluge 2011|26)^(Pfeifer 1993)^(DWB2|2, 161)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1541 – the Latin adverb ''active'' in a German text.^(Paul 2002)

+ * 1563 – first record of German ''activ''.^(Paul 2002)^(DFWB)

+ * 1641 – the sense “energetic, worldly-wise” is recorded.^(DFWB)

+ * 1674 – Stieler records ''Activ und Passiv Schulden''.^(Paul 2002)

+ * 1769 – ''Aktivposten'' is recorded.^(Paul 2002)

+ * 1808 – ''aktiv'' “in active military service”.^(Paul 2002)

+ * 1832 – Börne writes of ''aktive Bestechung''.^(Paul 2002)

+ * 1903 – ''radioaktiv'' is recorded.^(Paul 2002)

+ * Mid-20th century – the noun ''Aktiv'' “work group”, after Russian.^(Pfeifer 1993)^(DWB2|2, 161)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|energetic|alt=Energetic]], busy, enterprising: ''Unsere Nachbarin ist mit achtzig noch sehr aktiv.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Taking part oneself, not merely passive: ''sich aktiv an der Planung beteiligen''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # Particularly [[m|en|effective]]: ''biologisch aktive Substanzen''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # Marked by activity: ''aktiver Umweltschutz''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # ''(military)'' Serving as a regular soldier: ''ein aktiver Offizier''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # Taking a full part as a member of a club or society: ''ein aktives Mitglied''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary DE)

+ # ''(chemistry, physics)'' Strongly reactive; emitting radiation, as in [[radioaktiv]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Wiktionary DE)

+ # ''(grammar)'' In the [[m|en|active voice]].^(Wiktionary)^(Wiktionary DE)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[Aktiv]]

+ * [[Aktiva]]

+ * [[Aktivist]]

+ * [[aktivieren]]

+ * [[Aktivität]]

+ * [[inaktiv]]

+ * [[radioaktiv]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[passiv]]

+ * [[agieren]]

+ * [[Akt]]

+ * [[en|active]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}