wesentlich German · revision 35464

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=9th century|origins=ine-pro *u̯es-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˈveːzəntlɪç/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''wesentlich''' (strong nominative masculine singular wesentlicher, comparative wesentlicher, superlative am wesentlichsten)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|gmh|wesenlich]], [[inh|goh|wesantlīh|t=being, substantial]], an adjective formed with [[m|goh|-līh]] beside [[goh|wesan|t=being, existence]], the infinitive of the verb “to be, stay” used as a noun.^(Kluge 2011|984)^(Pfeifer 1993)^(DWB|29, 592) Wiktionary describes it as a calque of [[la|essentiālis|t=essential]].^(Wiktionary) The noun survives as [[Wesen]]; the verb is [[gem-pro|*wesaną]], also found in [[got|𐍅𐌹𐍃𐌰𐌽|tr=wisan|t=to be, remain]], [[ang|wesan]] and [[non|vesa]], and is a form of the verb [[sein]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden 7 2007) It goes back to [[ine-pro|*u̯es-|t=to stay, dwell, spend the night]], which is also in [[sa|वसति|tr=vásati|t=dwells, stays]] and in the name of the Roman goddess [[la|Vesta]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden 7 2007)^(Köbler AHD)

+

+ The ⟨t⟩ before the suffix has been explained in two ways.^(Kluge 2011|984)^(Pfeifer 1993) Kluge sees a glide inserted from the 15th century on,^(Kluge 2011|984) whereas Pfeifer and the Grimms' dictionary take it from the Old High German present participle [[m|goh|wesanti|alt=wesant-]], since it already appears in the Old High German adverb [[m|goh|wesantlīhho|t=essentially]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(DWB|29, 592) In Middle High German the forms without ⟨t⟩ prevailed; the form with ⟨t⟩ became general around 1600, like [[eigentlich]], [[ordentlich]] and [[namentlich]].^(DWB|29, 592)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Old High German ''wesantlīh'' “being, substantial” is recorded in the 9th century, and the adverb ''wesantlīhho'' “essentially” in glosses of about 1000.^(Pfeifer 1993)^(DWB|29, 592) In Old and Middle High German the word occurs only in religious texts, mainly those of the mystics: Meister Eckhart and Tauler wrote ''wesenlich'', Seuse ''weslich''.^(DWB|29, 592)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The adjective first belonged to theology and mysticism, meaning “of the essence, real, substantial”, in step with the senses of the noun ''Wesen'' “essence, substance”.^(DWB|29, 592) Middle High German also used it for “real, lasting” and “domestic”, and Early New High German for “resident, settled” and “in good condition”, senses tied to ''Wesen'' “dwelling, household”.^(Pfeifer 1993) General use began only in the course of the 15th century.^(DWB|29, 592) From then on the main sense became “essential, fundamental, principal”.^(DWB|29, 592)^(Pfeifer 1993)

+

+ With comparatives and verbs ''wesentlich'' became an intensifier “considerably, much”, and the noun use ''im Wesentlichen'' means “on the whole” or “mainly”.^(Duden GWDS 1999) The form ''weslich'' lasted until the first third of the 16th century and is found once more in Harsdörffer in 1641.^(DWB|29, 592)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 9th century – Old High German ''wesantlīh'' is first recorded.^(Kluge 2011|984)^(Pfeifer 1993)

+ * c. 1000 – The adverb ''wesantlīhho'' appears in glosses.^(Pfeifer 1993)

+ * 14th century – The mystics use ''wesenlich'' and ''weslich''.^(DWB|29, 592)

+ * 15th century – The word passes into general use; the form with ⟨t⟩ spreads.^(Kluge 2011|984)^(DWB|29, 592)

+ * c. 1600 – ''wesentlich'' prevails over ''wesenlich''.^(DWB|29, 592)

+ * 1641 – One of the last records of ''weslich'', in Harsdörffer.^(DWB|29, 592)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|essential|alt=Essential]], fundamental, of decisive importance: ''Das ist ein wesentlicher Punkt.'' ''Im Wesentlichen'' means “on the whole” or “mainly”.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Concerning the [[m|en|essence]] or true nature of something.^(Wiktionary)^(Wiktionary DE)

+ # ''(with comparatives and verbs)'' Considerably, much: ''Der neue Zug ist wesentlich schneller.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary DE)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[Wesentlichkeit]]

+ * [[unwesentlich]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[Wesen]]

+ * [[abwesend]]

+ * [[Anwesen]]

+ * [[Verweser]]

+ * [[währen]]

+ * [[goh|wesan]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The Grimms' dictionary separates a regional adjective ''weszlich'', ''wäselich'' “lively, cheerful”, of unknown origin, which in some dialects merged with ''wesentlich''.^(DWB|29, 592)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}