conventional English · revision 6612

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1583|origins=la convenio}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kənˈvɛnʃənl̩/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-lat|conventionalis|t=relating to an agreement]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) perhaps through [[m|fr|conventionnel]],^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|la|conventio|t=meeting, assembly; agreement]] (see [[convention]]), from [[m|la|convenio|alt=convenīre|t=to come together, agree]], from [[m|la|com-|t=together]] and [[m|la|venio|alt=venīre|t=to come]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of the nature of an agreement or compact: the late 15th century in Etymonline, SOED and NODE;^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998) the OED's first example is from 1583.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Established by social convention, arising from custom, is from 1761,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and following accepted standards or tradition, often without originality, from 1831.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Of the nature of a formal assembly of delegates is from 1812 and is now rare.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In card games such as bridge, a conventional bid follows an agreed system (1864).^(OED 1989) Of weapons, non-nuclear, it is from 1955.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1583 – of the nature of an agreement.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1761 – established by custom.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1812 – of a convention or assembly.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1831 – following tradition.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1955 – of weapons, non-nuclear.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Following accepted customs and standards, often without originality: ''a conventional lifestyle''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Established by general agreement or long usage; [[customary]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of weapons or warfare, not [[nuclear]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Traditional rather than modern or alternative: ''conventional medicine''.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[conventionalism]]

+ * [[conventionalist]]

+ * [[conventionally]]

+ * [[conventionalization]]

+ * [[anticonventional]]

+ * [[conventionality]]

+ * [[conventionalize]]

+ * [[nonconventional]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[convention]]

+ * [[convene]]

+ * [[covenant]]

+ * [[unconventional]]

+ * [[venue]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}