format English · revision 4988

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1840|origins=la formatus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈfɔː.mæt/, US /ˈfɔːr.mæt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|format]], partly through German,^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from [[la-new|liber formātus|t=a book formed]] in a certain shape and size,^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from the past participle of Latin fōrmāre “to form”,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from forma “form, shape”, the source of [[form]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The shape and size of a book, such as octavo or quarto: 1840 in the OED and Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was extended to other things in 1936,^(OED 1989) and a style of arrangement or presentation, such as of a radio or television programme, is from 1955.^(OED 1989) In computing, an arrangement of data is from 1955.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The verb, to put into a format, especially of a computer disk or data, is from 1964.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1840 – the size of a book.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1955 – a style of arrangement; data in computing.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1964 – verb, to arrange in a format.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The general arrangement or plan of something, such as a television programme.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The shape, size and layout of a book or other publication.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(computing)'' A way in which [[data]] is arranged for storage or display.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # ''(computing)'' To arrange data in a particular way, or prepare a [[disk]] to store data.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To arrange text or a document in a particular layout.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[formatter]]

+ * [[preformat]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[form]]

+ * [[formation]]

+ * [[formal]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}