coalition English · revision 6254

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1604|origins=la coalesco}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kəʊ.əˈlɪʃ.ən/ ''(UK)''; /koʊ.əˈlɪʃ.ən/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|coalition]] (1544) or Medieval Latin [[m|la-med|coalitio]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998) formed from [[m|la|coalitus]], the past participle of [[m|la|coalesco|alt=coalēscere|t=to grow together, unite]] (see [[coalesce]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The growing together of parts, coalescence: 1612 in Barnhart and the OED, the 1610s in Etymonline;^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) MWU has 1604.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Union into one body is from 1620, and the union of parties, principles or interests from about 1645.^(OED 1989) The political sense, an alliance of distinct parties or states for combined action, is first recorded in 1715.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A ''coalition government'' is formed by several parties.^(Collins 2023)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1604 – first known use (MWU).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1612 – growing together.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1645 – a union of interests.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1715 – a political alliance.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An [[alliance]] of political parties or states for a particular purpose, especially to form a government.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A union or combination into one body.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[coalitionist]]

+ * [[coalitional]]

+ * [[coalitioner]]

+ * [[coalitionism]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[coalesce]]

+ * [[coalescence]]

+ * [[alliance]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}