warmth English · revision 39546

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 1175, Lambeth Homilies|origins=gem-pro *warmiþō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * UK: /wɔːmθ/^(Wiktionary)

+ * US: /wɔɹmθ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|wermth]] (also [[m|enm|warmeth]]),^(MWU 2024)^(Dictionary.com 2016)^(Etymonline) unrecorded [[inh|ang|*wiermþu]] or [[m|ang|*wærmþu]],^(OED 2026) [[inh|gem-pro|*warmiþō]],^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline) formed on the adjective that gave [[warm]] with the noun suffix [[-th]].^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) It is cognate with [[gml|wermede]], [[nl|warmte]] and [[gmh|wermede]].^(OED 2026)^(Klein 1966)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A pleasantly warm state of the air, a gentle heat: c. 1175, in the ''Lambeth Homilies''.^(OED 2026) Etymonline dates the word to the late 12th century and Merriam-Webster to the 13th.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Shakespeare used it for the natural heat of a living body (''Romeo and Juliet'', 1599) and for strength of feeling or enthusiasm (''The Merchant of Venice'', 1600).^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline) In 1710 Steele applied it to a heated temper close to anger.^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline) From 1716 painters spoke of the ''warmth'' of glowing colours.^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline) Johnson (1755) gave "gentle heat" first, then "zeal; passion; fervour of mind".^(Johnson 1755) Later senses include the hotness of spices (1816) and, following ''warm'' "well off", prosperity (1888).^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1175 – gentle heat of the air.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1599 – the natural heat of the body.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1600 – fervent feeling, enthusiasm.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1653 – figurative use of gentle heat.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1710 – a heated temper.^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1716 – the glow of warm colours in painting.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1816 – pungency of seasoning.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1888 – being well off.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The state of being warm; moderate, comfortable [[heat]]: ''the warmth of the stove''.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # [[affection|alt=Affection]], friendliness or [[cordiality]].^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # Intensity of feeling, whether enthusiasm or anger: ''she answered with some warmth''.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # (art) A glowing effect produced by warm colours.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[warmthless]]

+ * [[warmthlessness]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[warm]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}