pollution English · revision 6856

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1340|origins=la polluo}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /pəˈljuːʃən/, /pəˈluːʃən/ ''(UK)''; /pəˈluʃən/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English pollucioun, [[bor|frm|pollution]], and [[la-lat|pollutio|t=defilement]],^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) from the past participle stem of [[m|la|polluo|alt=polluere|t=to soil, defile, contaminate]] (see [[pollute]]),^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) probably from *por-, before, and -luere, to smear, from PIE [[ine-pro|*lewH-|alt=*leu-|t=dirt; to make dirty]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The discharge of semen other than in intercourse: about 1340 in the OED, the mid-14th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Ceremonial impurity, the profanation of something sacred, is from 1382,^(OED 1989) the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The general act of polluting or the condition of being polluted is from about 1420.^(OED 1989) The contamination of the environment is recorded from about 1860, but it was not common until about 1955;^(Etymonline) ''pollution control'' and ''pollution-free'' are from 1961.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1340 – seminal emission.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1382 – ceremonial defilement.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1420 – the act of polluting.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1860 – environmental contamination.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1961 – pollution control.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The contamination of air, water or land by harmful substances.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Substances that pollute; [[pollutant|alt=pollutants]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The act of polluting, or the state of being polluted.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(archaic)'' Defilement or desecration.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[antipollution]]

+ * [[self-pollution]]

+ * [[noise pollution]]

+ * [[light pollution]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[pollute]]

+ * [[pollutant]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}