delivery English · revision 4404

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1327|origins=fro delivrer}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dɪˈlɪv.ər.i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|deliverie]],^(MWU 2024) [[bor|xno|delivrée]], the noun use of the feminine past participle of Old French delivrer “to set free; to hand over”,^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)^(SOED 2002) the source of [[deliver]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In law, the formal handing over of goods to another: 1327 in the Historical Thesaurus.^(HTOED) The action of setting free, and of handing over to another: the early 15th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The emptying of a prison to bring prisoners to trial, a gaol delivery, is from 1464.^(HTOED) The conveying of letters, parcels and goods is from 1480,^(OED 1989)^(HTOED) and surrender of a castle or town from about 1452.^(HTOED) Childbirth is from 1548 in the Historical Thesaurus,^(HTOED) 1577 in the OED,^(OED 1989) the 1570s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The utterance of words, as of a speech, is from 1577, and the manner of public speaking from 1582;^(HTOED) Etymonline dates this sense to the 1660s.^(Etymonline) The discharge of a missile is from 1588,^(HTOED) and of a ball in cricket or baseball from 1816,^(HTOED) 1702 in Etymonline for a blow or throw in general.^(Etymonline) The hospital ''delivery room'' is from 1849.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1327 – the legal handing over of goods.^(HTOED)

+ * 1464 – gaol delivery.^(HTOED)

+ * 1480 – the delivery of goods.^(OED 1989)^(HTOED)

+ * 1548 – childbirth.^(HTOED)

+ * 1582 – manner of speaking.^(HTOED)

+ * 1588 – the discharge of a missile.^(HTOED)

+ * 1816 – the bowling of a ball.^(HTOED)

+ * 1849 – ''delivery room''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of taking goods, letters or parcels to the person they are meant for; something delivered.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The act of handing over; formal transfer of property.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The act of giving birth; [[childbirth]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The manner of speaking or [[singing]] in public.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The act or manner of throwing or bowling a ball.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Release, rescue; [[surrender]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[redelivery]]

+ * [[delivery boy]]

+ * [[delivery room]]

+ * [[breech delivery]]

+ * [[general delivery]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[deliver]]

+ * [[deliverance]]

+ * [[liberate]]

+ * [[liberty]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}