legislative English · revision 5993

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1641}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈledʒ.ɪ.slə.tɪv/, /ˈledʒ.ɪ.sleɪ.tɪv/, US /ˈledʒ.ɪ.sleɪ.t̬ɪv/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|legislator|-ive]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) or from [[legislation]] and legislator with the suffix -ative, after French législatif.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of or relating to the making of laws: about 1641 in the OED, the 1640s in Etymonline, 1640 in MWU.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As a noun, the power of making laws or the body in which it rests, the legislature, is from 1642.^(OED 1989) Having the function of legislating, as in legislative assembly and legislative power, is from 1651,^(OED 1989) and enacted by legislation from 1855.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1641 – of law-making.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1642 – the noun, the law-making body.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1651 – having the power to legislate.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1855 – enacted by legislation.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Relating to the making of [[law|alt=laws]]; having the power to make laws: ''a legislative assembly''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Relating to a [[legislature]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(rare)'' The law-making body of a government; the legislature.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[legislatively]]

+ * [[nonlegislative]]

+ * [[prelegislative]]

+ * [[semilegislative]]

+ * [[unlegislative]]

+ * [[quasi-legislative]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[legislate]]

+ * [[legislation]]

+ * [[legislator]]

+ * [[legislature]]

+ * [[legal]]

+ * [[legitimate]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}