hardware English · revision 6118

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=c. 1515}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈhɑːd.weə/, US /ˈhɑːrd.wer/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a compound of [[hard]] and [[ware]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Small wares or goods of metal, ironmongery: about 1515 in the OED and MWU;^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline dates it to the mid-15th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The ''hardware store'' is attested by 1789,^(Etymonline) and combinations such as hardware dealer and hardware merchant from 1724.^(OED 1989) In slang, hardware was strong liquor or whisky in American use from 1835,^(GDoS) and weapons, especially guns, from 1865.^(OED 1989)^(Dalzell 2013) In the 20th century it was also used of military equipment and of showy jewellery.^(Dalzell 2013)^(AHD) The physical components of a computer or other system, as opposed to the programs or procedures, the [[software]], is from 1947.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1515 – small metal goods.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1789 – hardware store.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1835 – strong liquor, in American slang.^(GDoS)

+ * 1865 – weapons.^(OED 1989)^(Dalzell 2013)

+ * 1947 – the physical parts of a computer.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Metal goods and tools, such as locks, [[tool|alt=tools]], nails and [[cutlery]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The physical equipment of a [[computer]] system, as opposed to the [[software]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Machines and other physical equipment, especially military weapons and vehicles.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(slang)'' Guns; also showy jewellery.^(Dalzell 2013)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[hardware cloth]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[software]]

+ * [[vaporware]]

+ * [[hard]]

+ * [[ware]]

+ * [[firmware]]

+ * [[ironmongery]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}