atmosphere English · revision 5018

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1638|origins=la-new atmosphaera, grc ἀτμός, grc σφαῖρα}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈæt.məs.fɪə/, US /ˈæt.məs.fɪr/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-new|atmosphaera]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(Hoad 1986) used by Bishop John Wilkins in 1638 in his book on the Moon,^(Barnhart 1988) perhaps also influenced by French atmosphère (1665).^(Barnhart 1988) The New Latin word is from Greek [[grc|ἀτμός|tr=atmós|t=vapour, steam]] and [[grc|σφαῖρα|tr=sphaîra|t=ball, globe]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) It is related to [[sphere]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The gaseous envelope around the Earth or another heavenly body: 1638 in the OED and MWU, the 1630s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) The Latin-shaped form atmosphaera came first, and the modern form is from the 1670s (1677 in Barnhart).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It was first used in English of the Moon, which has almost none.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ According to the OED, as summarized by Barnhart, it first meant a ring of vapour supposed to be exhaled by a planet, then the air close to it, and finally all the surrounding air.^(Barnhart 1988) A magnetic atmosphere, the sphere in which a magnet attracts, is from 1668,^(OED 1989) and the air of a particular place from 1767.^(OED 1989) The figurative sense, a surrounding mental or moral element or mood, is from 1797–1803.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) As a unit of pressure it is from 1830,^(OED 1989) and background sounds that set a mood, as in radio or film, from 1941.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1638 – the air around the Earth.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1677 – the modern form.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1767 – the air of a place.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1797–1803 – figurative, surrounding influence.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1830 – a unit of pressure.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1941 – background sounds.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The layer of gases around the [[Earth]] or another [[planet]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The air in a particular place.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The general feeling or mood of a place or situation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(physics)'' A unit of [[pressure]] equal to normal air pressure at sea level.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[atmosphered]]

+ * [[atmosphereless]]

+ * [[upper atmosphere]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[atmospheric]]

+ * [[atmospherics]]

+ * [[sphere]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}