warning English · revision 4403

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=a. 800}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈwɔː.nɪŋ/, US /ˈwɔːr.nɪŋ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|ang|warnung]], war(e)nung,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) the verbal noun of warnian, the source of [[warn]], formed with -ung, the source of [[-ing]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Previous notice or threat of coming evil or danger: before 800 in the OED.^(OED 1989) Taking heed, precaution, is from about 1000, now obsolete.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Deterrent counsel, advice against an unwise course, is also from about 1000,^(OED 1989) and advice to beware of a dangerous person or thing from before 1225.^(OED 1989) A sign or portent of coming evil is from about 1325,^(OED 1989) the early 14th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and a person or experience that deters by example later, from 1613 in the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''To take warning'' is from 1550.^(OED 1989) The adjective, “that warns”, is from 1511 in Merriam-Webster^(MWU 2024) and 1552 in the OED,^(OED 1989) as in ''warning coloration'' in zoology.^(SOED 2002) A siren signal before an air raid is from 1917,^(Etymonline) and the police caution given on arrest from 1919.^(OED 1989) Johnson in 1755 defined it as “caution against faults or dangers; previous notice of ill”.^(Johnson 1755)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * a. 800 – notice of danger.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1000 – deterrent counsel.^(OED 1989)

+ * a. 1225 – advice to beware.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1325 – a portent.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1511 – adjective.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1550 – ''take warning''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1613 – a deterrent example.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1917 – an air-raid warning.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A sign, [[threat]] or indication of coming danger or harm.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Advice to beware, or to stop doing something.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A cautionary example.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Something, such as a [[signal]], that warns.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Notice given in advance: ''without warning''.^(MW Collegiate)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Serving to warn: ''a warning light''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[warningly]]

+ * [[forewarning]]

+ * [[two-minute warning]]

+ * [[warning coloration]]

+ * [[warning track]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[warn]]

+ * [[wary]]

+ * [[beware]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}