pact English · revision 39966

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1429|origins=la paciscor}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /pækt/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|pact]], later [[m|frm|pacte]],^(OED 2026)^(Klein 1966) and directly [[bor|la|pactum|t=agreement, covenant]],^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) a noun use of the neuter past participle of [[m|la|paciscor|t=to make a covenant, agree]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2024)^(Klein 1966) The Latin verb is related to [[m|la|pāx|t=peace]], the source of [[peace]],^(Hoad 1986)^(Klein 1966)^(Ayto 2005) and to [[m|la|pangō|t=to fix, fasten]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Weekley 1921)^(Skeat 1911) They go back to [[ine-pro|*pag-|t=to fasten]],^(Etymonline) and Barnhart and Merriam-Webster list as cognates [[grc|πήγνυμι|tr=pḗgnūmi|t=to fix, fasten]], [[sa|पाश|tr=pāśa|t=noose, cord]] and [[got|𐍆𐌰𐌷𐌰𐌽|tr=fāhan|t=to catch]];^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) Merriam-Webster adds [[ang|fōn|t=to take, seize]].^(MWU 2024) The French word is recorded from 1352–6.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A formal agreement between persons or parties: 1429, in the Rolls of Parliament.^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline dates it to the early 15th century and Dictionary.com to 1400–50.^(Etymonline)^(Dictionary.com 2016)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word has kept its meaning since the 15th century,^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002) and Johnson (1755) defined it as a contract or covenant.^(Johnson 1755) Merriam-Webster notes the special use for an international treaty.^(MWU 2024) A verb, to agree to something or to enter into a pact with someone, is recorded from 1535, in Thomas Cromwell, and the intransitive use from 1904.^(OED 2026) Etymonline notes the related ''paction'', the making of a pact.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1429 – a formal agreement or covenant.^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1535 – verb, to agree on with another party.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1755 – in Johnson: a contract, a bargain.^(Johnson 1755)

+ * 1904 – verb, intransitive, to make a pact.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A formal [[agreement]] between persons, groups or nations, especially for their mutual benefit; a [[treaty]]: ''The neighbouring states signed a trade pact.''^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)^(OED 2026)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # (rare) To make a pact.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[compact]]

+ * [[peace]]

+ * [[impact]]

+ * [[pagan]]

+ * [[page]]

+ * [[covenant]]

+ * [[treaty]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}