finance English · revision 4147

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1400|origins=la finis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈfaɪ.næns/, /faɪˈnæns/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|finaunce]], fynaunce,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|finance|t=end; payment, expense; settlement of a debt]], 13th century,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) a noun of action from [[m|fro|finer|t=to end, settle a dispute or debt]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from fin “end”,^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) from [[la|fīnis|t=end]],^(AHD 2000)^(Klein 1966) which in Medieval Latin also meant a payment in settlement, a fine or tax.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The notion is of ending something that is due by satisfying it.^(Etymonline) Etymonline compares Greek telos “end”, plural “dues exacted by the state”.^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) It is related to [[fine]] and [[finish]].^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “An end, settlement, retribution”: about 1400 in Etymonline and Barnhart;^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the OED has “ending” from before 1400 and a settlement with a creditor, the payment of a debt, from about 1400.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The French senses came into English gradually: a ransom, from the mid-15th century, 1439 in the OED;^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) a supply or stock of money from 1475;^(OED 1989) and taxation, the revenue of a state, from the late 15th century.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The current senses date from the 18th century:^(Cresswell 2021) ''finances'', monetary resources, from 1730, after French,^(Barnhart 1988) and “the management of money, the science of monetary business” from 1770, from a modern French sense.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The verb first meant “to ransom”, in the late 15th century, now obsolete;^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) “to manage money” is from 1827, and “to provide with money” from 1866.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) ''Financier'' is from 1618, in Francis Bacon,^(Barnhart 1988) and ''financial'' from 1769, in Burke.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1400 – a settlement.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1439 – a ransom.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 15th century – taxation; verb, to ransom.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1730 – ''finances''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1770 – the management of money.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1827 – verb, to manage money.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1866 – verb, to provide with money.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The management of [[money]], banking, [[investment]]s and credit.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The science or study of managing money and other assets.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''finances'' Money resources, especially those of a government, company or person.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The supplying of funds or capital.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To provide or raise the money for: ''finance a new road''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To supply funds or credit to.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[financeable]]

+ * [[prefinance]]

+ * [[financial]]

+ * [[nonfinancial]]

+ * [[refinance]]

+ * [[underfinance]]

+ * [[underfinanced]]

+ * [[unfinanced]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[financier]]

+ * [[fine]]

+ * [[finish]]

+ * [[final]]

+ * [[finite]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}