conversion English · revision 6557

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1340|origins=la verto}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kənˈvɝʒən/; /kənˈvɜːʃ(ə)n/, /-ʒ(ə)n/ ''(UK)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English conversioun, [[bor|fro|conversion|t=change, transformation; entry into religious life]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|conversio|t=a turning round; change]], a noun of action from [[m|la|converto|alt=convertere|t=to turn around, transform]] (see [[convert]]), from [[m|la|com-]] and [[m|la|verto|alt=vertere|t=to turn]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The turning of a sinner to righteousness and the love of God: about 1340, in a Middle English Psalter;^(Barnhart 1988) the mid-14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A change from one religion to another, especially to Christianity, is from about 1400.^(Etymonline) The general sense, transformation from one state to another, is from the early 15th century, probably before 1425 in Barnhart.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Turning round or revolving (1540) and turning back (1553) are obsolete senses.^(OED 1989) In law, conversion is the wrongful use of another's property as one's own.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) Changing a building to another use is from 1921,^(Etymonline) and in rugby and American football a conversion is the kick or play that adds points after a try or touchdown.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) ''Conversion disorder'', hysteria, is from 1946.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1340 – religious conversion.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1400 – change of religion.^(Etymonline)

+ * before 1425 – transformation.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1921 – conversion of a building.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of changing something into a different form or use.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A change in religious faith or other belief.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A building altered for a new use: ''a barn conversion''.^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(rugby, American football)'' A score made after a [[try]] or [[touchdown]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law)'' The unlawful treatment of another's property as one's own.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[conversional]]

+ * [[nonconversion]]

+ * [[seroconversion]]

+ * [[bioconversion]]

+ * [[interconversion]]

+ * [[preconversion]]

+ * [[conversion disorder]]

+ * [[internal conversion]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[convert]]

+ * [[converse]]

+ * [[version]]

+ * [[vertical]]

+ * [[revert]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}