Gelegenheit German · revision 36288

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=13th century, Middle High German}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * [ɡəˈleːɡŋ̩haɪ̯t], [ɡəˈleːɡənhaɪ̯t]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''Gelegenheit''' ''f'' (genitive Gelegenheit, plural Gelegenheiten)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|gmh|gelegenheit|t=situation, the way something lies]], an abstract noun formed [[af|de|gelegen|-heit]].^(Kluge 2011|343)^(Wiktionary)^(Wiktionary DE) The adjective [[gelegen]] is properly the past participle of [[liegen]] and meant “lying alongside, fitting”;^(Kluge 2011|343) [[goh|gilegan|t=adjacent, neighbouring]] is recorded from the 9th century, and out of “near, neighbouring” grew the sense “convenient, suitable” developed.^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden 7 2007) Old High German also had the simpler noun [[m|goh|gileginī]].^(DWB|5, 2938)

+

+ The same formation is [[gml|gelegenicheit]] and [[nl|gelegenheid]].^(DWB|5, 2938) The modern sense “opportunity” corresponds to [[la|occāsiō]] and [[fr|occasion]].^(Pfeifer 1993)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Middle High German ''gelegenheit'' (13th century) meant the way something lies: position, the state of things, and also the adjoining land.^(Kluge 2011|343)^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden 7 2007) In Gottfried's ''Tristan'' the lovers lie apart ''in fremeder gelegenheit'', in a position as if they were strangers.^(DWB|5, 2938)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Early New High German used it of the position and nature of a landscape, a mountain or a building, of the state of affairs or circumstances in which someone or something is found, and finally of a chance or favourable moment.^(FWB)^(Pfeifer 1993) The last sense arose under the influence of the adjective ''gelegen'' “convenient”, and Kluge notes that the meaning “possibility” is the later one.^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Kluge 2011|343) The derivative [[gelegentlich]], Middle High German ''gelegenlich'' “convenient”, became fixed on the temporal sense “occasionally”, and more recently is also a preposition, “on the occasion of”.^(Kluge 2011|343)^(Pfeifer 1993)

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+ The proverb ''Gelegenheit macht Diebe'' “opportunity makes thieves” warns that a good chance tempts people to do wrong, and ''die Gelegenheit beim Schopf fassen'' “to seize the opportunity by the forelock” goes back to the image of Kairos, the god of the favourable moment, with a lock in front and a bald back of the head.^(Duden GWDS 1999) Swedish ''lägenhet'' is listed among German loanwords.^(LWP)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 9th century – Old High German ''gilegan'' “adjacent”.^(Pfeifer 1993)

+ * 13th century – Middle High German ''gelegenheit'' “position, state of things”.^(Kluge 2011|343)

+ * c. 1210 – Gottfried's ''Tristan'' uses it of the way the lovers lie.^(DWB|5, 2938)

+ * Early New High German – The senses “circumstances” and then “chance, opportunity”.^(FWB)^(Pfeifer 1993)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An [[m|en|opportunity]], a favourable moment or circumstances for doing something: ''bei der nächsten Gelegenheit'' (“at the first opportunity”); ''bei Gelegenheit'' (“some time, when convenient”).^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # An [[m|en|occasion]]: ''ein Kleid für besondere Gelegenheiten''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # ''(advertising)'' A [[m|en|bargain]], an especially favourable offer.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # ''(euphemistic)'' A toilet.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # ''(sport, jargon)'' A scoring chance, short for [[Torgelegenheit]].^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # A facility, place for doing something, in compounds such as [[Sitzgelegenheit]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[gelegentlich]]

+ * [[Gelegenheitsarbeit]]

+ * [[Gelegenheitsarbeiter]]

+ * [[Mitfahrgelegenheit]]

+ * [[Sitzgelegenheit]]

+ * [[Torgelegenheit]]

+ * [[Ungelegenheit]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[Angelegenheit]]

+ * [[gelegen]]

+ * [[liegen]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}