environmental English · revision 3901

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1887|origins=en environment}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ɪnˌvaɪ.rənˈmen.təl/, US /enˌvaɪ.rənˈmen.t̬əl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|environment|-al]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) It is related to [[environ]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “Environing, surrounding”, of or pertaining to environments: 1887 in Etymonline and the OED;^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) the adverb ''environmentally'' is recorded earlier, in 1884.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The ecological sense, concerned with the conservation of the natural environment, is from 1967 in Etymonline^(Etymonline) and the late 20th century in the SOED.^(SOED 2002) The OED has ''environmental engineer'' from about 1962,^(OED 1989) ''environmental audit'' from 1971,^(OED 1989) ''environmentally sensitive area'', first North American, from 1974,^(OED 1989) and ''environmentally friendly'', not harmful to the environment, from 1984.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1884 – ''environmentally''.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1887 – of the surroundings.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1962 – ''environmental engineer''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1967 – ecological.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1984 – ''environmentally friendly''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of, relating to or associated with the [[environment]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Concerned with the effects of human activity on the natural environment, or with its [[conservation]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Of harmful factors that come from the environment: ''environmental diseases''.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[environmentally]]

+ * [[bioenvironmental]]

+ * [[environmentalism]]

+ * [[environmentalist]]

+ * [[nonenvironmental]]

+ * [[proenvironmental]]

+ * [[environmental science]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[environment]]

+ * [[environ]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}