yoga English · revision 6876

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1818|origins=sa योग}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈjoʊ.ɡə/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|hi|योग|tr=yoga]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[sa|योग|tr=yóga|t=union, yoking]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) from the root of yunákti, he yokes,^(MWU 2024) from PIE [[ine-pro|*yewg-|alt=*yeug-|t=to join]], the source of [[yoke]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A Hindu system of philosophy and exercises seeking union with the Supreme Spirit: 1820, in William Ward's ''A View of the History, Literature, and Religion of the Hindoos'';^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) MWU dates it to 1818.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its aim is the union of the self with the supreme being through meditation and ascetic practice.^(SOED 2002) In the West, it came to mean above all a system of physical postures, breathing control and meditation practised for health and relaxation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) The word [[yogi]], one who practises yoga, is older in English, from 1619.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1619 – yogi.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1818 – first use (MWU).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1820 – the Hindu philosophy.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A Hindu discipline of [[meditation]] and ascetic practice aimed at union of the self with the supreme being.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A system of exercises, postures and breathing control practised for health and relaxation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[yogic]]

+ * [[yogism]]

+ * [[Hatha yoga]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[yogi]]

+ * [[yoke]]

+ * [[join]]

+ * [[conjugal]]

+ * [[jugular]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}