republican English · revision 3864

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1691|origins=la rēs pūblica}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /rɪˈpʌb.lɪ.kən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|republic|-an]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) partly after [[fr|républicain]];^(SOED 2002) Merriam-Webster takes it as an adaptation of the French word, from Middle French republicain, from republique.^(MWU 2024) Earlier adjectives included republical (1650s) and republicarian (1680s).^(Etymonline) It is related to [[republic]] and [[public]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Belonging to the commonwealth or community, an obsolete sense: 1691 in the OED.^(OED 1989) Merriam-Webster dates the word to 1653.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “Belonging to a republic, of the nature of a republic” is from 1712.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The noun, one who favours a republican form of government, is from the 1690s;^(Etymonline) Johnson defined it as “one who thinks a commonwealth without monarchy the best government”.^(Johnson 1755)^(Etymonline) Of persons and parties favouring a republic it is from 1793.^(OED 1989) With a capital, it was the name of a United States party (the Anti-Federalists) from 1782,^(Etymonline) and the adjective is used of American parties by 1806,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) but the modern Republican Party dates from 1854.^(Etymonline) The French ''republican calendar'' was in use from 1793 to 1805.^(Etymonline) In ornithology, of birds that nest in large colonies, it is from 1829.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1653 – first known use.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1690s – noun, a supporter of republics.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1712 – of a republic.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1782 – an American party member.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1793 – favouring a republic.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1829 – of colonial birds.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1854 – the modern Republican Party.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of, relating to or characteristic of a [[republic]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Favouring a republic as the best form of government.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''Republican'', of the Republican Party of the United States.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # One who favours a republic as the best form of government.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''Republican'', a member of the Republican Party of the United States.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[republicanism]]

+ * [[antirepublican]]

+ * [[nonrepublican]]

+ * [[republicanize]]

+ * [[unrepublican]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[republic]]

+ * [[public]]

+ * [[democrat]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}