warm English · revision 3833

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 888|origins=gem-pro *warmaz}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|warme]],^(Barnhart 1988) [[inh|ang|wearm|t=moderately hot]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[gem-pro|*warmaz]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) which is also the source of Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Dutch and German warm, Old Norse varmr and Gothic warmjan “to warm”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is a word of uncertain origin:^(Etymonline) it is usually derived from [[ine-pro|*gʷher-|t=hot]], the root of Greek thermós “hot”, Latin formus “warm” and Sanskrit gharmá- “heat”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(Cresswell 2021) but it may instead be connected with Old Church Slavonic goriti “to burn” and varŭ “heat”.^(Etymonline) The verb comes partly from Old English wyrman “to make warm” and partly from wearmian “to become warm”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) It is related to [[thermal]] and [[thermometer]].^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of the weather, air or climate, moderately hot: about 888 in the OED.^(OED 1989) Barnhart dates wearm to before 899, in Alfred's translation of Boethius.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The use of distinct words for degrees of heat, warm and hot, is general in Balto-Slavic and Germanic, while elsewhere one word often covers both, as Greek thermós and Latin calidus.^(Etymonline) Of the body, having its natural heat, it is from before 1000.^(OED 1989) “Comfortable, securely established” is from the 14th century,^(Hoad 1986) and of feelings, “ardent, full of zeal”, from the late 15th century,^(Etymonline) with “cordial, tender” from the 15th century in Hoad.^(Hoad 1986) A warm kiss is from 1588.^(OED 1989) “Comfortably off” is from the 16th century.^(Hoad 1986) Of colours it is from 1764.^(Etymonline) In guessing games, “close to what is sought”, it is from 1860, probably from earlier hunting use of a scent or trail (1713).^(Etymonline) ''Warm-blooded'' of mammals is from 1793,^(Etymonline) and the proverb ''cold hands, warm heart'' from the early 20th century.^(Cresswell 2021) The ''warming pan'' for beds is from the 1570s.^(Etymonline) [[warmth]] is from the 12th century.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 888 – of the weather.^(OED 1989)

+ * 12th century – ''warmth''.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * before 1200 – verb.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 15th century – ardent.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1570s – ''warming pan''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1764 – of colours.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1793 – ''warm-blooded''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1860 – close, in guessing games.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Moderately hot; giving or holding a comfortable heat.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Having the natural heat of living beings.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Keeping in heat: ''warm clothes''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Friendly, kind and [[affection|alt=affectionate]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Of colours, suggesting heat, such as red or orange.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Close to finding or guessing something.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make or become warm.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To fill with pleasant feelings: ''it warmed my heart''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''warm up'': to prepare for exercise or a performance.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[warmer]]

+ * [[warmish]]

+ * [[warmly]]

+ * [[warmness]]

+ * [[warm-blooded]]

+ * [[lukewarm]]

+ * [[warmhearted]]

+ * [[warm-up]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[warmth]]

+ * [[thermal]]

+ * [[thermometer]]

+ * [[thermos]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}