besides English · revision 4179

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1200}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /bɪˈsaɪdz/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|bisides]],^(Barnhart 1988) formed from [[beside]] and the adverbial genitive ending [[-s]], -es.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As a preposition, about 1200 in Etymonline and the OED,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) probably before 1200 in Layamon's Brut according to Barnhart;^(Barnhart 1988) at first “by the side of, close by”, the same as beside.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It came into general use about 1390 and after.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) It once shared all the senses of beside, but is now limited to the meanings “in addition to” and “otherwise”.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The adverb “in addition, as well” is from 1564,^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) and introducing a further point, “moreover”, from 1596;^(OED 1989) “other than, else” is also from 1596.^(OED 1989) The preposition “over and above, in addition to” is from 1535.^(OED 1989) The colloquial shortening 'sides is attested by the 1570s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – preposition, by the side of.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1535 – in addition to.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1564 – adverb, as well.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1570s – 'sides.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1596 – moreover.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # In addition; also.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Moreover; [[furthermore]]: ''besides, it's too late''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Otherwise; else.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Preposition===

+ # In addition to: ''others besides us''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Except for; other than.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[beside]]

+ * [[side]]

+ * [[aside]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage notes that in modern usage the senses “in addition to” and “except for” are expressed more often by besides than by [[beside]]: ''he had few friends besides us''.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}