admit English · revision 4395

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=a. 1387|origins=la admittere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ədˈmɪt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|admitten]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) [[bor|la|admittere|t=to admit, give entrance; allow, permit]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from ad- “to” and mittere “to let go, send”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the source of [[mission]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster Unabridged gives it through Anglo-French admettre,^(MWU 2024) but Barnhart argues that French transmission is unlikely, since the Old French forms have e (ametre, admettre).^(Barnhart 1988) Middle English also had amit, after Old French amettre, refashioned in the 15th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “To let in”: before 1387 in Barnhart,^(Barnhart 1988) the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The OED's first quotations, for admitting to do something, are from 1413.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “To concede as valid or true in argument” is from the early 15th century,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) and “to allow, permit” from before 1423.^(OED 1989) Admitting into an office or position is from 1473,^(OED 1989) and into a place from 1530.^(OED 1989) “To acknowledge as valid or lawful” is from 1538.^(OED 1989) ''Admission'' is from the 15th century, and ''admittance'' and ''admissible'' from the 16th and 17th.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * a. 1387 – to let in.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1413 – to admit to doing something.^(OED 1989)

+ * early 15th century – to concede as true.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1473 – into an office.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1538 – to acknowledge.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To allow to [[enter]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To allow to join a group or institution, or to take up a position or privilege.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To accept as true or valid; to [[acknowledge]] or [[confess]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To have room for: ''the theatre admits 300 people''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To leave room for; to [[permit]]: ''the facts admit no other explanation''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To take (a patient) into hospital.^(MW Collegiate)^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[admittable]]

+ * [[admitter]]

+ * [[admittance]]

+ * [[admittedly]]

+ * [[readmit]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[admissible]]

+ * [[admission]]

+ * [[mission]]

+ * [[permit]]

+ * [[submit]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}