approval English · revision 4800

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1613|origins=en approve, en -al}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˈpruː.vəl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|approve|-al]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The act of approving, sanction: 1613 in MWU and the early 17th century in the Shorter Oxford,^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) the 1680s in Etymonline and 1690 in the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ According to the OED, quoted by Etymonline, it was rare before 1800 and then replaced the older ''approvance'', which is attested by the 1590s and came from French.^(Etymonline) ''On approval'', of goods sent to a customer to be returned if not wanted, is from 1870.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1613 – first known use.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1690 – the action of approving.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1870 – ''on approval''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The feeling that someone or something is good or right; [[praise]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Official [[permission]] or agreement; [[sanction]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''on approval'': of goods, to be returned if the buyer does not want them.^(SOED 2002)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[disapproval]]

+ * [[nonapproval]]

+ * [[preapproval]]

+ * [[reapproval]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[approve]]

+ * [[approbation]]

+ * [[prove]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}