conclusion English · revision 5494

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1340|origins=la claudere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /kənˈkluː.ʒən/, /kəŋˈkluː.ʒən/, US /kənˈkluː.ʒən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|conclusioun]], [[bor|fro|conclusion|t=result, outcome]] and directly from [[la|conclūsiō|t=a shutting up, conclusion]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) a noun of action from the past participle of [[m|la|conclūdere|t=to shut up, enclose]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) See [[conclude]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A judgement reached by reasoning, an inference: about 1340 in the OED, the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The end or close of something is from 1382, and the final result or outcome from about 1384.^(OED 1989) The last part of a speech or writing, which sums up its main points, is from about 1386, as is ''in conclusion''.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) ''A foregone conclusion'' is an outcome that is certain from the start.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1340 – an inference.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1382 – the end.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1384 – a result.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1386 – the last part of a speech.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The end or last part of something.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[judgment]] or opinion reached after thinking about something.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The final part of a speech or essay, which sums it up.^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)

+ # The settling of an agreement: ''the conclusion of a treaty''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(logic)'' A statement that follows from the [[premise|alt=premises]] of an argument.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[conclusional]]

+ * [[conclusionally]]

+ * [[conclusionary]]

+ * [[nonconclusion]]

+ * [[foregone conclusion]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[conclude]]

+ * [[conclusive]]

+ * [[exclusion]]

+ * [[inclusion]]

+ * [[close]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}