bronze English · revision 6753

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=borrowing|attested=1617|origins=it bronzo}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /bɹɒnz/ ''(UK)''; /bɹɑnz/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|bronze]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[it|bronzo|t=bell metal, brass]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) via Medieval Latin bronzium,^(Etymonline) of uncertain origin.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) It may come from Persian [[m|fa|برنج|tr=birinj|t=brass, copper]],^(NODE 1998)^(SOED 2002)^(Etymonline) or be connected with the Latin [[m|la|Brundisium]] (Brindisi), whose bronze Pliny mentions as “aes Brundusinum”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline also mentions Venetian bronza, glowing coals.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The alloy of copper and tin: 1617 in the OED, 1721 in Etymonline;^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) a work of art in bronze, before 1721, in Prior's ''Alma''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Middle English bronze and brass were not distinguished, and both alloys were called bras (see [[brass]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Like brass, bronze meant impudence (1728).^(OED 1989) The verb, to give the colour of bronze, is from the 1640s;^(Etymonline) to harden one's feelings is from 1726, and to tan by the sun from 1792.^(Etymonline) The brown colour is from 1817,^(OED 1989) and a bronze medal, usually for third place, from 1852.^(OED 1989) The ''Bronze Age'' is a term of archaeology for the age between stone and iron.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1617 – the alloy.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1640s – the verb.^(Etymonline)

+ * before 1721 – a work of art in bronze.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1728 – impudence.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1792 – to tan.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1852 – bronze medal.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An [[alloy]] of [[copper]] and [[tin]], sometimes with other metals.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A work of art, such as a statue, made of bronze.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A yellowish-brown colour.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A bronze medal, given for third place.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Made of bronze; of the colour of bronze.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To give the colour or appearance of bronze to; to [[tan]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[bronzer]]

+ * [[bronzy]]

+ * [[bronzite]]

+ * [[bronze age]]

+ * [[bronze diabetes]]

+ * [[bronze medal]]

+ * [[Bronze Star]]

+ * [[phosphor bronze]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[brass]]

+ * [[brazen]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}