vulnerable English · revision 6356

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1605|origins=la vulnus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈvʌln(ə)ɹəbl̩/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-lat|vulnerābilis|t=wounding]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|vulnero|alt=vulnerāre|t=to wound]], from [[m|la|vulnus|t=wound]] (genitive vulneris),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) perhaps related to [[m|la|vello|alt=vellere|t=to pluck, tear]] and Greek oulḗ, a scar.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Able to be wounded: 1605, in Shakespeare's ''Macbeth''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) Word Origins notes that its opposite [[invulnerable]] is older, from the late 16th century.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the sense ''capable of wounding'', after the Late Latin, it was used once, in 1609.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Figuratively, open to attack of a non-physical kind, such as criticism or temptation, is from 1678.^(OED 1989) Of places, open to attack by armed forces, it is from 1790.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In contract bridge, a side that has won a game is vulnerable to higher penalties (1925).^(OED 1989) Needing special care because of age, illness or disability, as ''vulnerable adults'', is a modern use.^(Collins 2023) Earlier English had vulnerate, to wound (about 1500).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1605 – able to be wounded, in Macbeth.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1678 – open to criticism or temptation.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1790 – open to military attack.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1925 – in bridge.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Easily hurt physically or emotionally.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Open to attack, damage or criticism: ''vulnerable to infection''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # In need of special care or protection: ''vulnerable children''.^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(bridge)'' Liable to higher penalties after winning a game.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[vulnerability]]

+ * [[vulnerably]]

+ * [[vulnerableness]]

+ * [[unvulnerable]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[invulnerable]]

+ * [[vulnerary]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}