possibility English · revision 4372

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1374|origins=la possibilis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˌpɒs.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/, US /ˌpɑː.səˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|possibilite]],^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|possibilité]] (13th century),^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) and directly from [[la-lat|possibilitās|alt=possibilitatem]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from possibilis “able to be done”,^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) the source of [[possible]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The state or fact of being possible: about 1374 in the OED,^(OED 1989) the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A possible thing or circumstance, something that may happen, is from about 1400.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In law, ''after possibility'' meant after the possibility of children had ended, from about 1350.^(OED 1989) Promise of favourable results, as in ''the plan has possibilities'', is in the American Heritage.^(AHD) In Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Warwickshire dialect one's possibility was the extent of one's means.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1350 – in law.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1374 – the state of being possible.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – a possible thing.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The fact or state of being possible.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Something that may happen or be the case: ''rain is a possibility''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''possibilities'': potential for good or interesting results.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[impossibility]]

+ * [[possible]]

+ * [[potence]]

+ * [[potency]]

+ * [[potent]]

+ * [[potentate]]

+ * [[potential]]

+ * [[potentiality]]

+ * [[power]]

+ * [[possibly]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}