command English · revision 3808

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1300|origins=la commendāre}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /kəˈmɑːnd/, US /kəˈmænd/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|comanden]],^(MWU 2024)^(Barnhart 1988) [[bor|fro|comander|t=to order, enjoin, entrust]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la-vul|*commandāre]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) an alteration, influenced by [[m|la|mandāre|t=to commit, entrust]], of [[m|la|commendāre|t=to recommend, entrust to]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) The New Oxford takes it from late Latin commandare, formed from com- (intensive) and mandare.^(NODE 1998) The noun is from Old French comand or comande, from the verb.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to [[commend]], [[mandate]], [[commander]] and [[commandment]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To order or direct with authority: before 1300 in the OED^(OED 1989) and Barnhart,^(Barnhart 1988) about 1300 in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) Old English had bebeodan in this sense.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the late 14th century the verb came to mean “to have or exercise supreme power”, and “to have within one's influence”, of resources and the like;^(Etymonline) through a military sense it came to mean, of a high place, “to overlook, dominate” (1690s).^(Etymonline) The noun, “an order”, is from about 1400,^(Etymonline) “the right to command” from the mid-15th century,^(Etymonline) and “mastery” of a situation or a language from the 1640s.^(Etymonline) A ''command performance'', given by royal command, is from 1863,^(Etymonline) the ''command post'' from 1918,^(Etymonline) and in computing a command is an instruction that defines an operation, from 1946.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1300 – verb, to order.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – noun, an order.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-15th century – authority to command.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1640s – mastery.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1690s – to overlook from a height.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1863 – ''command performance''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1918 – ''command post''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1946 – in computing.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To give [[order|alt=orders]] to; to direct with authority.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To have control or authority over.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To have at one's disposal: ''commands many resources''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To deserve and receive as due: ''command respect''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To overlook or dominate from a height.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # An order; an authoritative direction.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # In computing, a signal or instruction that sets off an operation.^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+ # The authority to command; [[control]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Ready skill or [[mastery]]: ''a good command of French''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The troops or area under a commander.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Done at someone's command or request: ''a command performance''.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[commandable]]

+ * [[commandeer]]

+ * [[commander]]

+ * [[commandery]]

+ * [[commanding]]

+ * [[commandment]]

+ * [[self-command]]

+ * [[chain of command]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[commend]]

+ * [[mandate]]

+ * [[manipulation]]

+ * [[manual]]

+ * [[manufacture]]

+ * [[manuscript]]

+ * [[recommend]]

+ * [[commandant]]

+ * [[commando]]

+ * [[demand]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}