celebrate English · revision 4895

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1465|origins=la celebrare}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈsel.ə.breɪt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|celebrātus|t=much frequented; kept solemn; famous]], the past participle of celebrāre,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) originally “to attend in great numbers”, then “to assemble to honour, to sing the praises of”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from celeber “frequented, crowded, well-known”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline calls the origin of celeber unknown,^(Etymonline) while Barnhart and MWU relate it to celer “swift”, the source of [[celerity]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To perform publicly with due rites, originally of the Mass: 1465 in Barnhart, the mid-15th century in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The participial adjective, performed with due rites, is from 1471 in the OED,^(OED 1989) and the verb from 1564 (absolutely, of the eucharist, 1534).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To observe a festival or day with solemn rites is from 1560,^(OED 1989) and to commemorate or honour with shows of joy from the 1550s; it could formerly be done with signs of sorrow too.^(Etymonline) To make publicly known is from 1597,^(OED 1989) and to praise or glorify from the 1610s (1611 in the OED).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''Celebrated'', famous, is from 1586, in Marlowe's Tamburlaine.^(Barnhart 1988) The intransitive sense, to have a party or enjoy oneself, is recorded by the AHD and Collins.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1465 – to perform with rites.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1550s – to honour with rejoicing.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1560 – to observe a festival.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1586 – ''celebrated'', famous.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1597 – to make known.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1611 – to praise.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To do something enjoyable for a special occasion or [[success]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To mark an anniversary or festival with ceremonies or a [[party]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To perform a religious [[ceremony]], especially the [[Mass]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To [[praise]] someone or something publicly.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[celebration]]

+ * [[celebrator]]

+ * [[celebrative]]

+ * [[celebratory]]

+ * [[concelebrate]]

+ * [[precelebrate]]

+ * [[recelebrate]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[celebrant]]

+ * [[celebrated]]

+ * [[celebrity]]

+ * [[celerity]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}