governor English · revision 3788

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1300|origins=grc κυβερνάω}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈɡʌv.ᵊn.ə/, US /ˈɡʌv.ɚ.nɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|governour]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|governeor|t=prince, ruler, administrator; helmsman]] (French gouverneur),^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) and directly [[der|la|gubernātor|t=steersman, pilot; director, ruler]] (accusative gubernātōrem),^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|gubernāre|t=to steer]],^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from [[grc|κυβερνάω|tr=kubernáō|t=to steer]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[govern]], [[government]] and [[cybernetics]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A personal keeper, protector or guide: about 1300 in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The OED's earliest sense, a steersman or pilot, is from about 1330, and a ruler from the 14th century.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A ruler is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) applied also to God and to things personified.^(OED 1989) A subordinate ruler, the head of a province, is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) 1390 in the OED,^(OED 1989) and one who directs an institution from about 1386.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The commander of a fortress is from 1647,^(OED 1989) and a tutor in charge of a young man from 1577.^(OED 1989) In Middle English governour meant both a sovereign and a substitute ruler; the second sense made it natural for the heads of the British colonies in North America, and despite the unpopularity of the royal governors the title was kept after the Revolution for the executive head of each state.^(AHD) The mechanical sense, a self-acting regulator of speed, is from 1819.^(Etymonline) The adjective [[gubernatorial]] keeps the Latin form,^(Etymonline) and English also had governator from the 1520s.^(Etymonline) In British informal use ''governor'' or ''guv'' is an employer or a form of address to a man.^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1300 – a keeper, guide.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1330 – a steersman.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 14th century – a ruler; the head of a province.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1386 – the head of an institution.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1577 – a tutor.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1647 – the commander of a fortress.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1819 – a speed regulator.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The elected head of a [[state]] of the United States.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An official appointed to govern a [[colony]] or territory.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A member of a governing body, as of a school.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The head of an institution, such as a prison.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A device that automatically regulates the speed of an engine.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(British, informal)'' An employer or boss; also used as a form of address.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[governorate]]

+ * [[governorship]]

+ * [[guv]]

+ * [[subgovernor]]

+ * [[undergovernor]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[govern]]

+ * [[government]]

+ * [[governor-general]]

+ * [[governor general]]

+ * [[gubernatorial]]

+ * [[cybernetics]]

+ * [[governess]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}