giant English · revision 5070

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1297|origins=grc γίγας}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈdʒaɪ.ənt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|geant]], geaunt, giaunt,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|geant|t=giant, ogre]], earlier jaiant (modern French géant),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) from [[la-vul|*gagās]] (accusative *gagantem),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) a variant of [[la|gigās|t=a giant]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[grc|γίγας|tr=gígās]] (genitive gígantos), one of the Gigantes, savage, monstrous sons of Gaia and Uranus eventually destroyed by the gods.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) The Greek word is of unknown or uncertain origin, probably from a pre-Greek language;^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) derivation from gēgenḗs “earth-born” is considered untenable.^(Etymonline) The spelling ge- was altered to gi- about 1350, after the Latin.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) It replaced Old English ent, eoten and gigant.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A mythical being of human form and superhuman size: 1297 in the OED,^(OED 1989) about 1300 in Etymonline and Barnhart.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The Septuagint used the Greek word of men of great size and strength, which explains its wider use in modern languages.^(Etymonline) A person who has some quality in an extraordinary degree is from the 1530s, 1535 in the OED,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and an abnormally tall person from 1559.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) A figurative force of enormous power is first recorded in Donne's Poems (1631).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) The adjective is from the early 15th century.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) ''Giant-killer'' is from 1726,^(Etymonline) a class of large stars from 1912,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and a powerful company dominating its market from 1958.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1297 – a mythical giant.^(OED 1989)

+ * early 15th century – adjective.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1535 – a person of extraordinary ability.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1559 – a very tall person.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1726 – ''giant-killer''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1912 – a giant star.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1958 – a giant company.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # In folklore and myth, a being of human form but enormous size and strength.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A person or thing of great size.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A person of extraordinary power, importance or ability: ''a literary giant''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A very large, powerful company.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A very large, bright [[star]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of exceptionally great size or power; [[gigantic]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[giantlike]]

+ * [[supergiant]]

+ * [[Giant's Causeway]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[gigantic]]

+ * [[giantess]]

+ * [[gigantism]]

+ * [[ent]]

+ * [[ettin]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}