wildlife English · revision 5985

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1879}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈwaɪld.laɪf/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a compound, [[af|en|wild|life]], also written separately.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The native fauna and flora of a region: 1879 in Etymonline, MWU and MW Collegiate;^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(MW Collegiate) the SOED dates it to the late 19th century,^(SOED 2002) and RHWU to 1930–35.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Earlier, wild life in book titles meant accounts of living outdoors or among peoples regarded as uncivilized.^(Etymonline) MWU notes that the word especially means the mammals, birds and fishes hunted for sport or food,^(MWU 2024) and the SOED that it often means the fauna only.^(SOED 2002) It is often used attributively, as in wildlife park and wildlife sanctuary.^(MW Collegiate)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1879 – the wild animals and plants of a region.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Wild [[animal|alt=animals]] and plants, especially animals living in their natural, undomesticated state.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[wild]]

+ * [[life]]

+ * [[wilderness]]

+ * [[fauna]]

+ * [[flora]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}