splendid English · revision 39896

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1624|origins=la splendeō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˈsplɛndɪd/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|splendidus|t=bright, shining; sumptuous, illustrious]],^(OED 2026)^(AHD 2024)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) partly also [[bor|fr|splendide]],^(SOED 2002)^(ODE 2010)^(Hoad 1986)^(Ayto 2005) from [[m|la|splendeō|t=to be bright, shine]].^(OED 2026)^(AHD 2024)^(Etymonline)^(Ayto 2005) Etymonline and Barnhart think it is probably in part a shortening of the earlier [[m|enm|splendidious]], recorded from the early 15th century.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Klein takes the Latin verb from an Indo-European base [[ine-pro|*(s)plend-|t=bright]], and compares [[m|lt|spléndžiu|t=I shine]] and [[m|mga|lainn|t=bright]].^(Klein 1966)^(Ayto 2005) Merriam-Webster compares [[grc|σποδός|tr=spodós|t=ashes]].^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Marked by grandeur, sumptuous: 1624,^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) the 1620s in Etymonline^(Etymonline) and 1615–25 in Dictionary.com.^(Dictionary.com 2016) The Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins notes that the early examples describe a grand place or occasion.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the 17th century the adjective was applied to people who lived in great style (1658),^(OED 2026) to things that are brilliantly bright (1634, now rare),^(OED 2026) and to whatever is imposing by its greatness (1653).^(OED 2026) Johnson (1755) defined it as "showy; magnificent; sumptuous; pompous".^(Johnson 1755) The weakened sense "excellent, very good", recorded from 1644,^(OED 2026) is now the commonest in conversation, and Dictionary.com notes that it and similar words of admiration are often used in mild exaggeration.^(Dictionary.com 2016)^(Collins 2023) Milton's "splendid vassalage" (1667) began the use of the word to qualify a noun of contrary meaning,^(OED 2026)^(Johnson 1755) and ''splendid isolation'' was first used at the end of the 19th century of Great Britain's keeping out of European alliances.^(Cresswell 2021)^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * early 15th century – ''splendidious''.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1624 – sumptuous, grand.^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1634 – brilliantly bright.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1644 – excellent, very good.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1653 – imposing, impressive.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1658 – of persons, living in great style.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1667 – ''splendid vassalage'', in Milton.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[magnificent|alt=Magnificent]] or [[impressive]] in appearance; [[sumptuous]]: ''The hall was splendid with gilded mirrors.''^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)^(OED 2026)

+ # [[illustrious|alt=Illustrious]] or [[glorious]]: ''a splendid career''.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # (informal) Very good; [[excellent]]: ''We had a splendid evening.''^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)^(OED 2026)

+ # Brightly shining; [[radiant]].^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[splendidly]]

+ * [[splendidness]]

+ * [[unsplendid]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[resplendent]]

+ * [[splendor]]

+ * [[splendour]]

+ * [[splendiferous]]

+ * [[splendent]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}