exam English · revision 6683

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=clipping|attested=1848}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪɡˈzam/ ''(UK)''; /ɪɡˈzæm/, /ɛɡˈzæm/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is short for [[examination]].^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A test of knowledge: 1848, as college students' slang;^(Etymonline) the OED has 1877 and MWU 1872.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Hoad dates the clipping to the 19th century.^(Hoad 1986) It is colloquial in origin but now used widely, and in North America also for a medical examination.^(SOED 2002)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1848 – student slang for an examination.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1877 – in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An examination; a [[test]] of knowledge or ability.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(chiefly US)'' A medical examination.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[self-exam]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[examination]]

+ * [[examine]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}