activate English · revision 39723

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1624|origins=en active}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˈæktɪˌveɪt/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It was formed [[af|en|active|-ate]] in English.^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002)^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966)^(Dictionary.com 2016) Merriam-Webster thinks it was probably modelled on [[m|fr|activer]], a derivative of [[m|fr|actif|t=active]];^(MWU 2024) the OED compares that French verb, used from the 15th century to mean "to encourage or speed up an action", and [[la-med|activō|alt=activare]] of the 13th century.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To make active or more active, to set something in motion: 1624, in Richard Montagu's ''Immediate Address''.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline gives the 1620s, with the sense "make active, intensify".^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Johnson (1755) defined it as "to make active" but thought it was used only by the author he quoted, in a passage on cold being intensified by nitre or salt.^(Johnson 1755) The word was revived in science: in chemistry, from 1893, it meant to make a substance more reactive, and Etymonline dates the sense "put into action" from 1902, in chemistry.^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline) Later senses include to become active (1910), to make radioactive (1924), to set a device working (1941) and, in American military use, to call a unit or reservist into active service (1940).^(OED 2026) The Shorter Oxford notes ''activated carbon'' or ''charcoal'', treated to increase its power of adsorption, and ''activated sludge'' in sewage treatment.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1624 – to make active.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1893 – (chemistry) to make more reactive.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1910 – intransitive, to become active.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1924 – (physics) to make radioactive.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1940 – (military) to call into active service.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1941 – to set a device working.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make something active or start it working: ''Opening the door will activate the alarm.''^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # ''(chemistry)'' To make a substance more [[reactive]], or to treat it so as to increase its power of [[adsorption]].^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # ''(physics)'' To make [[radioactive]].^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # ''(military)'' To put a unit on active duty.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[activation]]

+ * [[activator]]

+ * [[unactivated]]

+ * [[overactivate]]

+ * [[superactivate]]

+ * [[transactivate]]

+ * [[reactivate]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[active]]

+ * [[act]]

+ * [[action]]

+ * [[actuate]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}