mainstream English · revision 6662

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=c. 1585}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈmeɪn.stɹiːm/ ''(UK)''; /ˈmeɪn.stɹim/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|en|main|stream]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The principal current of a river: about 1585 in MWU, the 1660s in Etymonline.^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The figurative sense, the prevailing direction of opinion or taste, is first attested in Carlyle (1831).^(Etymonline) The adjective, belonging to the mainstream, is from 1943 in MWU.^(MWU 2024) The verb, to place a child with a disability in ordinary school classes, is from 1974, and generally to bring into the mainstream from 1982.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) ''Mainstream media'' is attested by 1980, at first in the language of American critics on the left.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1585 – the main current of a river.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1831 – the prevailing trend, in Carlyle.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1943 – the adjective.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1974 – the verb, in education.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The ideas, attitudes or activities shared by most people; the prevailing current of thought.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The main current of a river.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Belonging to or representing the mainstream; [[conventional]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To place a pupil with special needs in ordinary school classes.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To bring into the mainstream.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[mainstreamer]]

+ * [[mainstreaming]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[main]]

+ * [[stream]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}