currency English · revision 5739

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1624|origins=la currens}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈkʌr.ən.si/, US /ˈkɝː.ən.si/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It was formed in English, either from obsolete currence, modelled on [[der|la-med|*currentia|t=a current of a stream]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) or from [[current]], on the pattern of decent, decency.^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) Both go back to [[la|currēns|t=running]], the present participle of [[m|la|currere|t=to run]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from PIE [[ine-pro|*kers-|t=to run]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A flow or course; a current or stream: 1657 in the OED and Barnhart,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) while MWU dates its first sense to 1624.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The idea of passing from person to person led to the sense of money's being in circulation, from Locke in 1699, suggested by the older use of [[current]] for money in circulation (1481).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) General acceptance or prevalence followed in 1722,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and the money itself in circulation in 1729, in Benjamin Franklin.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The time during which something is current is from 1726.^(OED 1989) In colonial use currency named local money worth less than sterling (1755), and in Australia, native-born Australians as distinct from those born in Britain (1827).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1624 – first sense, in MWU.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1657 – a flow.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1699 – circulation of money.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1722 – general acceptance.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1729 – money in circulation.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1827 – native-born Australians.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The [[money]] in use in a particular country.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # General acceptance or use: ''the idea gained currency''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The fact of being in [[circulation]] as a medium of [[exchange]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The time during which something is valid or in force.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[eurocurrency]]

+ * [[xenocurrency]]

+ * [[hard currency]]

+ * [[reserve currency]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[current]]

+ * [[course]]

+ * [[courier]]

+ * [[occur]]

+ * [[recur]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}