tech English · revision 3950

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=clipping|attested=1906|origins=en technical}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /tek/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a shortening, first American,^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) of [[technical]] (as in technical college),^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) [[technician]]^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) and [[technology]].^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A technical college or institute: 1906, American, the earliest reference being to MIT.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As short for technician it is from 1942, first in military jargon.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) The adjective, short for technical, is colloquial, first American, from 1956,^(OED 1989) and Etymonline dates the short form of technology, of computer code and the like, by 1956.^(Etymonline) The OED has it in ''high-tech'' from 1972^(OED 1989) and as a noun for technology from 1982,^(OED 1989) while Merriam-Webster dates that sense to 1972.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1906 – a technical college.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1942 – a technician.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1956 – adjective, technical.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1972 – ''high-tech''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1982 – technology.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(informal)'' A [[technician]]: ''a lab tech''.^(MW Collegiate)^(SOED 2002)

+ # ''(informal)'' [[technology]], especially high technology.^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(informal)'' A technical college or institute.^(SOED 2002)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[vo-tech]]

+ * [[biotech]]

+ * [[sci-tech]]

+ * [[hi-tech]]

+ * [[high-tech]]

+ * [[low-tech]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[technology]]

+ * [[technological]]

+ * [[technical]]

+ * [[technician]]

+ * [[technique]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}