examination English · revision 6682

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1386|origins=la examen}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪɡˌzæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/, /ɛɡ-/ ''(UK)''; /ɪɡˌzæm.əˈneɪ.ʃən/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English examinacioun, [[bor|fro|examinacion]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|exāminātio]], a noun of action from [[m|la|exāmino|alt=exāmināre|t=to weigh, test, consider]] (see [[examine]]),^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|la|exāmen|t=the tongue of a balance]].^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The action of testing or judging by a standard, and judicial inquiry: about 1386 and 1387 in the OED, the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) NODE adds the testing of one's conscience.^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Searching or inquiring into facts is from 1538,^(OED 1989) and investigating the nature or condition of an object, as in a medical examination, from 1630.^(OED 1989) The testing of a person's knowledge by questions, a test, is from 1612, the 1610s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The formal questioning of a witness in court is also an examination.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1386 – testing by a standard.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1387 – a judicial inquiry.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1538 – inquiry into facts.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1612 – a test of knowledge.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A detailed inspection or [[investigation]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A formal [[test]] of knowledge or skill, by written or spoken questions or practical tasks.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A medical inspection of the body.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law)'' The formal questioning of a [[witness]] or accused person.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[examinational]]

+ * [[cross-examination]]

+ * [[exam]]

+ * [[preexamination]]

+ * [[self-examination]]

+ * [[bar examination]]

+ * [[direct examination]]

+ * [[physical examination]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[examine]]

+ * [[examiner]]

+ * [[exact]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}