avenue English · revision 5247

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1600|origins=la advenire}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈæv.ə.njuː/, /ˈæv.ɪ.njuː/, US /ˈæv.ə.nuː/, /ˈæv.ə.njuː/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|avenue|t=way of access]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from Old French avenue “act of approaching, arrival”, a noun use of the feminine past participle of [[m|fro|avenir|t=to come to, arrive]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|advenīre|t=to come to, reach]], from [[m|la|ad-]] and [[m|la|venīre|t=to come]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)^(Hoad 1986) It is related to [[advent]], [[venue]] and [[revenue]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A way of approach or access, originally a military word: 1600, in Holland's translation of Livy.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The chief approach to a country house, usually bordered by trees, is from 1654, in John Evelyn's diary,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) which led to a road or path lined with trees.^(OED 1989) A fine wide street is from 1858 in the OED, used especially in the United States.^(OED 1989) The figurative sense, a means of reaching something, as in ''explore every avenue'', grew from the first meaning.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1600 – a way of approach.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1654 – a tree-lined drive.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1858 – a wide street.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A wide [[street]], often lined with trees; also part of street names.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A drive leading to a country house.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A path or road between two rows of trees.^(Collins 2023)

+ # A way of reaching or dealing with something: ''explore every avenue''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[Acacia Avenue]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[advent]]

+ * [[venue]]

+ * [[revenue]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}