eröffnen German · revision 35359

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 830, Tatian|origins=gem-pro *upanaz}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ʔɛɐ̯ˈʔœfnən/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''eröffnen''' (third-person singular present eröffnet, past tense eröffnete, past participle eröffnet, auxiliary haben)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|gmh|eroffenen]], [[inh|goh|iroffanōn|t=to reveal, open]], the verb [[öffnen]] with the prefix [[er-]].^(Wiktionary)^(DWB2|8, 2042)^(Köbler AHD) The same formation is [[gml|erȫpenen]].^(DWB2|8, 2042)

+

+ The base verb is [[gmh|offenen]], [[goh|offanōn]], formed from the adjective [[offen]], [[goh|offan]].^(Kluge 2011|666)^(Duden 7 2020|593) That adjective is [[gem-pro|*upanaz]], also found in [[osx|opan]], [[ang|open]] and [[non|opinn]] and continued in [[en|open]]; it was formed with an n-suffix and ablaut from the same base as [[auf]].^(Kluge 2011|666)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The first record is in the Old High German Tatian (about 830), rendering Matthew 13:35: ''ih aroffonon in ratissun minan mund'' “I will open my mouth in parables”.^(DWB2|8, 2042)^(Köbler AHD) Köbler gives the senses “to reveal, open, make known, show”.^(Köbler AHD)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The plain sense “to open” was in use mainly from the 16th to the early 19th century and then went out of use, giving way to [[öffnen]]; it lasted longest in elevated style, as when Schiller writes that ''Mylord die Türe schnell eröffnete''.^(DWB2|8, 2042)^(Paul 2002) Opening a will is still the legal phrase.^(Paul 2002)

+

+ The sense “to make known, disclose” goes back to late Old High German, to Notker;^(Paul 2002) Luther writes that heaven will ''eröffenen'' a man's misdeeds, that is, bring them to light (Job 20:27).^(Paul 2002) “To make accessible” is Early New High German, and “to begin formally”, as a meeting or a hunt, became common only in the 18th century.^(Paul 2002) Adelung records opening a ball by dancing the first dance and opening a school.^(Adelung 1793) The noun [[Eröffnung]] dates from late Middle High German.^(Paul 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 830 – Old High German ''aroffonon'' in the Tatian.^(DWB2|8, 2042)^(Köbler AHD)

+ * Early 11th century – Notker uses the verb in the sense “to make known”.^(Paul 2002)

+ * c. 1466 – The first printed German Bible has ''eroffnen'' “to open”.^(DWB2|8, 2042)

+ * 18th century – The sense “to begin formally” becomes common.^(Paul 2002)

+ * 1793 – Adelung records ''einen Ball eröffnen''.^(Adelung 1793)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|open]] (to the public), especially for the first time: ''Im Mai eröffnet sie eine kleine Bäckerei.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(medicine; otherwise dated)'' To open, especially by cutting;^(Duden GWDS 1999) ''(officialese)'' to open officially, as a will;^(Duden GWDS 1999) ''(commerce)'' to open (an account); ''(law)'' to institute (proceedings).^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # To [[m|en|begin]] officially: ''Der Bürgermeister eröffnete die Versammlung.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary) ''Das Feuer eröffnen'' is “to open fire”; on the stock exchange, to open in a certain way.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # To [[m|en|disclose]] (something new or unexpected) to someone: ''Sie eröffnete uns, dass sie das Land verlassen werde.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary) Reflexive, elevated: to confide in someone.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # To open up, make available: ''Die neue Stelle eröffnet ihm ganz andere Möglichkeiten.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary) Reflexive: to open up, become available.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[Eröffnung]]

+ * [[wiedereröffnen]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[öffnen]]

+ * [[offen]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}