enormous English · revision 6620

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1531|origins=la norma}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪˈnɔː.məs/ ''(UK)''; /ɪˈnoɹ.məs/, /iˈnoɹ.məs/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[la|ēnormis|t=irregular, extraordinary, very large]], with English [[-ous]] in place of -is,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|ē-|t=out of]] and [[m|la|norma|t=rule, pattern]] (see [[norm]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) It replaced earlier enormyous, very great or monstrous (mid-15th century).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Deviating from the ordinary rule, abnormal, usually in a bad sense: 1531.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Extraordinary in size, huge, is from 1544, the 1540s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Of persons and actions, disorderly, outrageous or wicked, is from 1593 and is now archaic.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023) Word Origins notes that this bad sense survives in [[enormity]], a grave crime or the extreme seriousness of something, though people increasingly use enormity simply for great size.^(Cresswell 2021)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1531 – abnormal.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1544 – huge.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1593 – outrageous, wicked (now archaic).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Very large in size, amount or degree; [[huge]] or [[immense]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(archaic)'' Extremely wicked; [[heinous]].^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[enormously]]

+ * [[enormousness]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[enormity]]

+ * [[norm]]

+ * [[normal]]

+ * [[abnormal]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}