lediglich German · revision 35326

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1275, Deutschenspiegel}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˈleːdɪklɪç/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''lediglich'''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|gmh|lediclich|alt=ledeclīche|t=freely, without hindrance]],^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Köbler MHD)^(Duden 7 2007) formed from the adjective [[gmh|ledic|t=free, unhindered]], now [[ledig]], with the suffix [[-lich]].^(Wiktionary)^(Köbler MHD)

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+ Kluge dates the adjective to the 12th century and compares [[gml|leddich]], [[dum|ledich|t=idle]] and [[non|liðugr|t=free, unhindered; nimble]]; he calls its origin not sufficiently clear: in the sense “nimble” it would belong to [[Glied]], in the sense “free” perhaps to [[goh|lid|t=servant]].^(Kluge 2011|566) Duden and Paul derive it from the Germanic word for a joint or limb, so that it meant “with supple limbs”, then “unhindered, free”.^(Duden 7 2020)^(Paul 2002) Köbler sets up [[gem-pro|*liþugaz|t=supple, free]].^(Köbler MHD)

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+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Middle High German ''lediclich'' “free, unchallenged” is first recorded in the ''Deutschenspiegel'' of about 1275.^(Köbler MHD) In the town chronicles it means “free, not captive” and, of property, “free of debt”, as in ''lidekliche zu eigen'' “in full ownership”.^(DWB|12, 506)

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+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From “free, unhindered” the adverb passed to “entirely, wholly”: in a Middle High German love song a poet says ''ich hân vil ledeclîche brâht in ir genâde mînen lîp'' “I have given myself wholly into her grace”, and Stieler (1691) gives ''einem die sache lediglich anheimstellen'' “to leave the matter entirely to someone”.^(DWB|12, 506) In the newer language it became restrictive, “solely, merely”, as in Klopstock, Lessing and Wieland.^(DWB|12, 506)

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+ The plain adjective ''ledig'' was also used as an adverb meaning “only” from 1533 (Sebastian Franck) and still by Lessing and Schiller, but ''lediglich'' has replaced it in this use.^(Paul 2002)

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+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1275 – ''lediclich'' “free” in the ''Deutschenspiegel''.^(Köbler MHD)

+ * 1533 – ''ledig'' is used as an adverb “only”.^(Paul 2002)

+ * 1691 – Stieler records ''lediglich'' “entirely” and “solely”.^(DWB|12, 506)^(Paul 2002)

+ * 18th century – The restrictive sense “merely” becomes usual in Lessing and Wieland.^(DWB|12, 506)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # [[m|en|merely]], [[m|en|only]], nothing more than: ''Ich wollte lediglich fragen, wie spät es ist.'' ''Von zwölf Bewerbern kamen lediglich drei in die engere Wahl.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ledig]]

+ * [[erledigen]]

+ * [[Glied]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}