associate English · revision 5478

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1398|origins=la socius}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: verb UK /əˈsəʊ.ʃi.eɪt/, /əˈsəʊ.si.eɪt/, US /əˈsoʊ.ʃi.eɪt/; noun UK /əˈsəʊ.ʃi.ət/, /əˈsəʊ.si.ət/, US /əˈsoʊ.ʃi.ɪt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|associat]], [[bor|la|associātus]], the past participle of [[m|la|associāre|t=to join with]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|la|ad-|t=to]] and [[m|la|sociāre|t=to unite with]], from [[m|la|socius|t=companion, ally]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from [[ine-pro|*sekʷ-|t=to follow]].^(Etymonline) The earlier verb was associen, from Old French associier, in Wycliffe's writings about 1383; associate gradually replaced it.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to [[social]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The adjective, joined in companionship, function or dignity: 1398 in the OED, before 1425 in Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) The verb, to join in company, is from the mid-15th century,^(Etymonline) about 1450 in Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The noun, a partner in business or interest, is from 1533,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and a companion in arms from 1548.^(OED 1989) A colleague is from 1552, and someone often in another's company from 1601.^(OED 1989) The intransitive verb, to keep company, is from the 1640s.^(Etymonline) A member of an association of lower rank, as in ''associate member'', is from 1812.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) To connect in the mind, as in the ''association of ideas'', is a later sense of the verb.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1398 – joined in companionship.^(OED 1989)

+ * mid-15th century – the verb.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1533 – a partner.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1640s – to keep company.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1812 – a member of lower rank.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To connect one thing with another in the [[mind]]: ''I associate summer with the sea''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To spend time with someone, often someone disapproved of.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To join or be connected with an organization or cause.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[partner]] or companion, especially at work.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A member of an organization with fewer rights than a full member.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Having a lower rank or status: ''an associate professor''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Joined with others; [[allied]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[associateship]]

+ * [[reassociate]]

+ * [[associate professor]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[association]]

+ * [[associative]]

+ * [[social]]

+ * [[society]]

+ * [[sociable]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}