component English · revision 5981

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1645|origins=la compono}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /kəmˈpəʊ.nənt/, US /kəmˈpoʊ.nənt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|compōnēns|t=putting together]] (accusative compōnentem),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) the present participle of [[m|la|compōnere|t=to put together, compose]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from com “together” and pōnere “to put, place” (see [[position]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Compare [[compound]].^(NODE 1998)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A constituent element or part: 1645 in Barnhart, the OED and MWU.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) An earlier noun, perhaps one who helps make up a group or a compounder, is from 1563.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The adjective, composing or constituting, is from 1664.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) In mechanics one of two or more vectors that together equal a given one is from 1806,^(OED 1989) and in physical chemistry a constituent of a system from 1876.^(OED 1989) The separate parts of motor cars and bicycles are components from 1896,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and electrical components such as resistors came later.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1563 – a compounder.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1645 – a constituent part.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1664 – the adjective.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1806 – a component of a vector.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1896 – a part of a machine.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # One of the parts that make up a whole; a [[constituent]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A part of a machine or vehicle, or an electrical device such as a [[resistor]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(mathematics)'' One of two or more [[vector|alt=vectors]] whose sum equals a given vector.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Being one of the parts of a whole.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[componential]]

+ * [[componented]]

+ * [[bicomponent]]

+ * [[componentry]]

+ * [[microcomponent]]

+ * [[subcomponent]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[compose]]

+ * [[compound]]

+ * [[composition]]

+ * [[position]]

+ * [[exponent]]

+ * [[opponent]]

+ * [[proponent]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}