unprecedented English · revision 39477

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1641, J. Finch's speech before the King}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ʌnˈpɹɛsɪdɛntɪd/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|un-|precedent|-ed]],^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)^(Webster's Third 1961) that is, the negative prefix with [[precedented]], the participle of a verb ''precedent'' that survives only in these adjectives.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) The OED notes that the positive adjective is recorded slightly later than the negative one.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Having no precedent; never done or known before: 1641, in Lord Keeper John Finch's speech before the King.^(OED 2026)^(HTOED)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline dates it to the 1620s, and Dictionary.com to 1615–25.^(Etymonline)^(Dictionary.com 2016)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Etymonline gives the early sense as both "unexampled" and "not in accordance with established custom", a meaning close to the legal idea of a precedent.^(Etymonline) Johnson (1755) defined it as not justifiable by any example, quoting Swift on an "unprecedented proceeding".^(Johnson 1755) The Historical Thesaurus files it under standards of conduct, beside other words for the unparalleled.^(HTOED) The derived ''unprecedentedness'' is recorded from the late 17th century and ''unprecedentedly'' from the early 19th.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1615–25 – first use, according to Dictionary.com.^(Dictionary.com 2016)

+ * 1620s – first use, according to Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1641 – ''unprecedented'', in a speech by John Finch.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+ * late 17th century – ''unprecedentedness''.^(SOED 2002)

+ * 1755 – Johnson: not justifiable by any example.^(Johnson 1755)

+ * early 19th century – ''unprecedentedly''.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Never having happened or been done before; without [[precedent]]; [[unparalleled]]: ''The storm caused unprecedented damage to the coast.''^(Collins 2023)^(AHD 2024)^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[unprecedentedly]]

+ * [[unprecedentedness]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[precedent]]

+ * [[precede]]

+ * [[unparalleled]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}