monitor English · revision 5738

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1546|origins=la monitor}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈmɒn.ɪ.tə/, US /ˈmɑː.nə.t̬ɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|monitor|t=one who reminds, admonishes or checks; an overseer]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) an agent noun from [[m|la|monēre|t=to remind, advise, warn]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from PIE *moneie- “to make think of”, a causative of the root [[ine-pro|*men-|t=to think]],^(Etymonline) so it is related to [[mind]], [[admonish]], [[monster]] and [[monument]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A senior pupil charged with keeping order or other duties: 1546 in the OED and Barnhart, the 1540s in Etymonline,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) while MWU gives 1530.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) In Scotland in the early 16th century it was also an official letter of admonition.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ One who admonishes or warns is from 1596,^(OED 1989) and something that warns or reminds from 1655.^(OED 1989) The monitor lizard (1826) was so called because it was fabled to warn of crocodiles,^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) and the low ironclad warship (1862) from the USS Monitor, named by its designer John Ericsson because it would admonish the Confederate leaders.^(Etymonline) The verb was first used by Keats in 1818, “to guide”;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) to check the quality of a radio transmission is from 1924,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) to listen to and report on broadcasts or messages from 1939,^(Barnhart 1988) and to observe or keep under review in general from 1944.^(Etymonline) A device for checking a signal is from 1931, and one for monitoring any process from 1948;^(OED 1989) the screens of televisions and computers are mid-20th-century uses.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1546 – a school monitor.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1596 – one who warns.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1818 – the verb, to guide (Keats).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1826 – the monitor lizard.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1862 – the ironclad.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1924 – to check a radio signal.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1931 – a device checking a signal.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1944 – to keep under review.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[screen]] that displays images from a [[computer]] or camera.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A device or person that checks, records or controls something.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A pupil with special duties, such as helping the [[teacher]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A large [[lizard]] of Africa, Asia and Australia.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(historical)'' A low ironclad [[warship]] with revolving gun turrets.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To watch, check or keep a record of something over time.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To listen to and report on broadcasts or messages.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[monitorship]]

+ * [[monitorial]]

+ * [[monitress]]

+ * [[Holter monitor]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[admonish]]

+ * [[admonition]]

+ * [[admonitory]]

+ * [[monition]]

+ * [[premonition]]

+ * [[monument]]

+ * [[monster]]

+ * [[mind]]

+ * [[summon]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}