responsibility English · revision 3537

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1787|origins=en responsible}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /rɪˌspɒn.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/, US /rɪˌspɑːn.səˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a derivation, [[af|en|responsible|-ity]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The state of being responsible, accountable or answerable: 1787 in Etymonline and the OED,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) the mid-18th century in the Shorter Oxford.^(SOED 2002) Merriam-Webster's Collegiate dates it 1771, and the Unabridged gives a much earlier date, 1642.^(MW Collegiate)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A charge, trust or duty for which one is responsible is from 1796,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and a person for whom one is responsible from 1832.^(OED 1989) In the 19th century it was often followed by ''of'' (1840), and in the 20th by ''for'' (1903).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1642 – Merriam-Webster's date.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1787 – the state of being responsible.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1796 – a duty or trust.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1832 – a person in one's charge.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1903 – ''responsibility for''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The state of being responsible or [[accountable]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Something for which one is responsible; a duty or [[obligation]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Reliability; trustworthiness.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonresponsibility]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[respond]]

+ * [[responsible]]

+ * [[response]]

+ * [[irresponsibility]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}