presenter English · revision 39746

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c1443, R. Pecock, Reule of Crysten Religioun}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /pɹɪˈzɛntə(ɹ)/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It was formed [[af|en|present|-er]] in English, from the verb ''present'' and the agent suffix ''-er''.^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(Dictionary.com 2016) Merriam-Webster also records a less common spelling [[m|en|presentor]], from the earlier [[m|enm|presentour]], which came [[m|frm|presenter|t=to present]] with the suffix that became [[-or]].^(MWU 2024) The verb goes back through French to [[m|la|praesentō|t=to show, present]].^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A person who offers something as a gift, a donor: about 1443, in Reginald Pecock's ''Reule of Crysten Religioun'';^(OED 2026)^(HTOED) Etymonline dates the form ''presentour'' to the mid-15th century, for one who formally introduces a royal personage or presents a document or legal charge.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Most early senses follow the senses of the verb: in law, from about 1503, a person who makes a presentment in court;^(OED 2026)^(HTOED) from 1509 one who formally introduces someone, especially at court;^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002) from 1544 one who presents a cleric to a benefice, or a candidate for a degree;^(OED 2026)^(HTOED) and, from 1559, one who presents a petition, bill or cheque.^(OED 2026) Philip Sidney used it for an actor who represents a character on the stage, a sense now archaic.^(OED 2026)^(HTOED) Johnson (1755) defined it simply as one that presents.^(Johnson 1755) The broadcasting sense, a person who introduces a radio or television programme, is recorded in the OED from 1959^(OED 2026)^(HTOED) and in Etymonline from 1967;^(Etymonline) it is the usual British word where American English generally says ''host''.^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c1443 – a giver of a gift.^(OED 2026)

+ * c1503 – (law) one who makes a presentment in court.^(OED 2026)

+ * a1509 – one who formally introduces someone.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1544 – one who presents a person to a benefice or office.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1559 – one who presents a petition, bill or cheque.^(OED 2026)

+ * a1586 – an actor, in Sidney's ''Arcadia''.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1959 – the presenter of a radio or television programme.^(OED 2026)^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # (chiefly British) A person who introduces a [[radio]] or [[television]] programme and links its items; a [[host]]: ''She became a presenter on a children's channel.''^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # A person who formally gives something, such as an [[award]] or [[prize]], to someone.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+ # A person who gives a talk or [[presentation]] to an audience.^(MWU 2024)^(OED 2026)

+ # A person who presents a [[petition]], bill or [[cheque]], or who presents someone for an office or degree.^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[present]]

+ * [[presentation]]

+ * [[host]]

+ * [[anchor]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}