operational English · revision 6757

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1922}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌɒp.əˈɹeɪ.ʃə.nəl/ ''(UK)''; /ˌɑ.pəˈɹeɪ.ʃə.nəl/, /ˌɑ.pɚˈeɪ.ʃə.nəl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[operation]] and [[-al]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Pertaining to operations: 1922 in the OED and Etymonline,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) the early 20th century in SOED.^(SOED 2002) MWU dates its mathematical sense to 1885.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It came into common use with military operations: ''engaged in active operations'', as opposed to training or reserve.^(SOED 2002) In mathematics, involving operators, it is from 1927.^(OED 1989) ''Operational research'', investigation of military and later business problems by mathematical methods, is from 1941.^(OED 1989) Ready for use, in working order, is from 1944.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The ''operational amplifier'' of electronics is from 1947.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1885 – in mathematics (MWU).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1922 – pertaining to operations.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1941 – operational research.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1944 – ready for use.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1947 – operational amplifier.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Ready for use, in working order; [[functioning]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Relating to an [[operation]] or series of operations.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(military)'' Involved in, or intended for, military operations.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[operationally]]

+ * [[nonoperational]]

+ * [[preoperational]]

+ * [[operationalism]]

+ * [[operational calculus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[operation]]

+ * [[operate]]

+ * [[opera]]

+ * [[opus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}