Vertreter German · revision 35327

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1390}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /fɛɐ̯ˈtʁeːtɐ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''Vertreter''' ''m'' (genitive Vertreters, plural Vertreter, feminine Vertreterin)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|gmh|vertreter|t=protector, advocate]], recorded in late Middle High German,^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Wiktionary DE) formed [[af|de|vertreten|-er]].^(Wiktionary) The verb is [[goh|firtretan|t=to trample, oppose]] (8th century), [[gmh|vertreten]], formed with [[ver-]] from [[treten]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Paul 2002)

+

+ That verb is [[goh|tretan]], [[gmw-pro|*tredan]], the same verb as [[gml|trēden]], [[ofs|treda]] and [[ang|tredan]], English [[m|en|tread]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Köbler AHD) Pfeifer explains it as an ablaut formation beside [[got|𐍄𐍂𐌿𐌳𐌰𐌽|tr=trudan]] and [[non|troða]],^(Pfeifer 1993) and Wiktionary derives the West Germanic verb from [[gem-pro|*trudaną]].^(Wiktionary) Its further source may be [[ine-pro|*dreu-|t=to run, tread]], an extension of the root of [[Treppe]] and [[trampeln]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Köbler AHD)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The Grimms cite ''vertretter'' “protector” from a source of 1390: the lord is to be ''gewern, vertretter und auch verantwurtter'', warrantor, protector and defender, in law;^(DWB|25, 1993) Lexer has it from 1441.^(DWB|25, 1993) Glossaries of the period also have ''vertretter'' for Latin ''supplantator'', one who trips up or tramples, from the older sense of the verb.^(DWB|25, 1993)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Early New High German the word meant a protector, intercessor or advocate;^(DWB|25, 1993) Sebastian Franck calls Christ ''unser versöner, vertretter, gnadenstul und mitler''.^(DWB|25, 1993) Maaler's dictionary gives it as one who takes another's place, Latin ''succedaneus''.^(DWB|25, 1993) Klopstock speaks of ''vertreter des volkes'', and the word became a term of law for one who acts with authority for another.^(Paul 2002) Since the 19th century, when ''vertreten'' took on the sense “to represent, stand for”, a ''Vertreter'' is also the exponent of a doctrine or school.^(Paul 2002)

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+ The commercial sense, an agent of a firm, is recorded in Muret and Sanders' dictionary of 1905.^(Paul 2002) Colloquial ''ein übler Vertreter'' “a nasty piece of work” seems to come from Berlin.^(Paul 2002)

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+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1390 – ''vertretter'' “protector” in a legal source.^(DWB|25, 1993)

+ * 1441 – Lexer records ''vertreter''.^(DWB|25, 1993)

+ * 19th century – ''vertreten'' takes on the sense “to represent”.^(Paul 2002)

+ * 1905 – First record of the sense “commercial agent”.^(Paul 2002)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|deputy]] or substitute who stands in for someone for a time: ''Während des Urlaubs übernimmt eine Vertreterin die Praxis.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A [[m|en|representative]] who acts for a person or group: ''die gewählten Vertreter der Gemeinde'';^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary) ''die diplomatischen Vertreter'' are diplomats.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A sales representative, a travelling [[m|en|salesman]] for a firm: ''Er arbeitet als Vertreter für Küchengeräte.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary DE)

+ # An [[m|en|exponent]] of a movement or school: ''ein Vertreter der Romantik''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary DE)

+ # A supporter or advocate of an idea.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # ''(colloquial, often pejorative)'' A fellow, a type: ''So ein seltsamer Vertreter!''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Paul 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[Vertreterin]]

+ * [[Stellvertreter]]

+ * [[Handelsvertreter]]

+ * [[Versicherungsvertreter]]

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[vertreten]]

+ * [[Vertretung]]

+ * [[treten]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}