allgemein German · revision 35290

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=c. 1120, Middle High German (Millstatt Exodus)}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˌalɡəˈmaɪ̯n/, /ˈalɡəˌmaɪ̯n/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''allgemein''' (strong nominative masculine singular allgemeiner, comparative allgemeiner, superlative am allgemeinsten)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|gmh|algemeine|t=all together, altogether]], beside [[gml|algemêine]] and [[m|gml|almêine]].^(Kluge 2011|33)^(DWB2|2, 423) The word is [[af|de|all|gemein]]: the first part strengthens the second in its old sense “shared, common to all”.^(Kluge 2011|33)^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Wahrig Herkunftswörterbuch)

+

+ The first part goes back to [[gem-pro|*allaz|t=all]], the same word as [[got|𐌰𐌻𐌻𐍃|tr=alls]], [[non|allr]] and [[ang|eall]];^(Kluge 2011|31)^(Kroonen 2013) its further origin is uncertain, and Kluge compares [[osc|allo|t=whole]] and [[sga|uile|t=all]].^(Kluge 2011|31) The second continues [[goh|gimeini]], [[gem-pro|*gamainiz|t=common]], also in [[got|𐌲𐌰𐌼𐌰𐌹𐌽𐍃|tr=gamains]]; it is formed exactly like [[la|commūnis]].^(Kluge 2011|345)^(Köbler AHD)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The oldest quotation in the revised Grimm dictionary is from the Middle High German ''Exodus'' of about 1120–1130: ''si sturben algemeine groz und chleine'', “they all died, great and small”.^(DWB2|2, 423) The adverb, meaning “all together, in common”, is the usual form at first;^(Köbler MHD) Köbler lists it in Heinrich von Veldeke's ''Eneasroman'' (1187/1189) and the adjective “general, whole” in Ulrich von Zatzikhoven's ''Lanzelet'' (after 1193).^(Köbler MHD)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Middle High German and Early New High German the word mostly followed a plural noun, “all of them, one and all”, as in ''ir herrn allgemein'' (“you lords, all of you”); this use lasted in verse and rhyme into the 18th century.^(DWB2|2, 423) The sense “universal, concerning the whole world” followed Latin [[m|la|catholicus]] and [[m|la|universālis]]: ''die allgemeine christliche Kirche'' renders the catholic church of the creed.^(DWB2|2, 423)

+

+ For a long time ''allgemein'' stood side by side with [[gemein]], with which it was often exchanged or contrasted; set phrases such as ''das gemeine Wohl'' and ''der gemeine Nutzen'' came first, and ''das allgemeine Wohl'' replaced them only gradually.^(DWB2|2, 423) When ''gemein'' declined in meaning to “common, base, mean”, the old neutral sense stayed with ''allgemein'', which displaced it in many uses from the 19th century on.^(Kluge 2011|33)^(DWB2|2, 423) The Grimms illustrate the split with ''allgemeine Geschichte'', world history, against ''gemeine Geschichte'', a common, worthless story.^(DWB|1, 234)

+

+ The adverbial senses “by everyone, everywhere” (''allgemein bekannt'') spread from the middle of the 18th century, although Adelung rejected them as contrary to the meaning of the word.^(DWB2|2, 423)^(Adelung 1793) Also recent is the use for the general as opposed to the particular, from which come “vague, noncommittal” and, to a small degree, “ordinary”; but the word never declined as far as ''gemein''.^(DWB2|2, 423)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1120–1130 – The Middle High German ''Exodus'' uses ''algemeine'' “all together”.^(DWB2|2, 423)

+ * 1187/1189 – The adverb appears in Heinrich von Veldeke's ''Eneasroman''.^(Köbler MHD)

+ * After 1193 – The adjective appears in Ulrich von Zatzikhoven's ''Lanzelet''.^(Köbler MHD)

+ * 1522 – Zwingli writes of ''die allgemein versammlung der christen'', the universal assembly of Christians.^(DWB2|2, 423)

+ * 1535 – Dasypodius's dictionary glosses Latin ''catholicus'' and ''universalis'' with ''allgemeyn''.^(DWB2|2, 423)

+ * 1774 – Adelung's dictionary rejects ''allgemein'' in the sense “everywhere, by everyone”.^(DWB2|2, 423)

+ * 19th century – ''Allgemein'' displaces ''gemein'' in many uses.^(DWB2|2, 423)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Common to all, [[m|en|widespread]], [[m|en|general]]: ''Die allgemeine Stimmung war gedrückt.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Everywhere, by everyone (as an adverb): ''Der Arzt ist im ganzen Dorf allgemein beliebt.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(DWB2)

+ # Concerning all, applying to or binding on everybody: ''das allgemeine Wahlrecht'', [[m|en|universal suffrage]].^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # Not going into detail, not special or specific;^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary) ''im Allgemeinen'', in general, as a rule.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(often slightly pejorative)'' [[m|en|vague]], noncommittal: ''Seine Antwort blieb sehr allgemein.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # Wide-ranging, [[m|en|comprehensive]]: ''eine gute allgemeine Bildung''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[Allgemeinheit]]

+ * [[verallgemeinern]]

+ * [[Allgemeinbildung]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[gemein]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}