fighter English · revision 6001

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1300}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈfaɪ.tə/, US /ˈfaɪ.t̬ɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English fightere, [[inh|ang|feohtere]], an agent noun formed [[af|ang|feohtan|-ere]] (see [[fight]]).^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) Dutch vechter and German Fechter are comparable;^(Etymonline) Old English also had feohtling in this sense.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One who fights, a warrior: about 1300 in the OED, the 13th century in MWU.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A pugnacious person or brawler is from about 1400,^(OED 1989) and a hired fighter or bully from 1611.^(OED 1989) A professional boxer is a fighter in modern use.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) A fast military aircraft for aerial combat is from 1917,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) with fighter escort, patrol and pilot from 1941 in the OED.^(OED 1989) A determined person who never gives up is also a fighter.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1300 – a warrior.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – a brawler.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1611 – a hired champion.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1917 – a fighter aircraft.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who fights, especially a [[boxer]] or soldier.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A fast military [[aircraft]] designed to attack other aircraft.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person who is determined and does not give up easily.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[fighter-bomber]]

+ * [[fighter-interceptor]]

+ * [[crime-fighter]]

+ * [[bullfighter]]

+ * [[gunfighter]]

+ * [[nonfighter]]

+ * [[freedom fighter]]

+ * [[street fighter]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[fight]]

+ * [[firefighter]]

+ * [[prizefighter]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}