obvious English · revision 4181

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1583|origins=la obvius}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈɒb.vi.əs/, US /ˈɑːb.vi.əs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|obvius|t=that is in the way; presenting itself readily, open, exposed; commonplace]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|la|obviam|t=in the way, towards]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from ob “in front of, against” and viam, the accusative of [[m|la|via|t=way]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) from [[ine-pro|*weǵʰ-|alt=*wegh-|t=to go, move, transport in a vehicle]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) with the suffix [[-ous]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(COED 2004) It is related to [[obviate]], [[via]] and [[way]].^(SOED 2002)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “Frequently met with, commonly found”, a sense now obsolete: 1583 in Merriam-Webster Unabridged,^(MWU 2024) 1586 in Barnhart and the OED,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) the 1580s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “Standing in the way, placed in front of” is from 1603,^(OED 1989) and “exposed or open to” from 1601, both obsolete.^(OED 1989) The modern meaning, “plain to see, perfectly evident”, is first recorded in 1635,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) the 1630s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) ''The obvious'', obvious things, is from 1903.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1583 – frequently met with.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1603 – standing in the way.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1635 – plain, evident.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1903 – ''the obvious''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Easily seen or understood; quite [[apparent]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Lacking subtlety; easily seen through: ''an obvious ploy''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(archaic)'' Standing in the way or in front.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[obviously]]

+ * [[obviousness]]

+ * [[nonobvious]]

+ * [[overobvious]]

+ * [[unobvious]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[obviate]]

+ * [[via]]

+ * [[way]]

+ * [[convey]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}