failure English · revision 3886

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1641|origins=fro faillir}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈfeɪ.ljə/, US /ˈfeɪl.jɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is an alteration, under the influence of the ending [[-ure]], of earlier failer,^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) [[bor|xno|failer]], the infinitive of the Old French verb [[m|fro|faillir|t=to be lacking; not succeed]] used as a noun.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) It is related to [[fail]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A failing to occur or be performed: 1641 in the OED.^(OED 1989) Etymonline dates failer, a failing or deficiency, to the 1640s,^(Etymonline) and the New Oxford gives the first senses as non-occurrence and the cutting off of supply.^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The ending was altered in the 17th century to match words in -ure.^(Etymonline) Lack of success is from 1643,^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) running short or breaking down from 1695,^(OED 1989) and failure in business, bankruptcy, from 1702.^(OED 1989) A person or thing that proves unsuccessful is from 1837.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Middle English had other nouns, such as failard “a person given to faults” (about 1300), failment and failinge “neglect of one's duties”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1641 – a failing to occur.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1643 – lack of success.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1695 – breakdown, running short.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1702 – bankruptcy.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1837 – an unsuccessful person.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Lack of success.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A person or thing that fails.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A falling short; [[deficiency]]: ''crop failure''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A breakdown in functioning: ''heart failure''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A neglect or omission of what is required: ''failure to pay''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # [[bankruptcy|alt=Bankruptcy]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonfailure]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[fail-safe]]

+ * [[fail]]

+ * [[fallible]]

+ * [[false]]

+ * [[fault]]

+ * [[default]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}