eligible English · revision 6909

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1425|origins=la ēligere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈel.ɪ.dʒə.bəl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|éligible|t=fit to be chosen]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(Etymonline) a learned borrowing of Late Latin [[m|la-lat|ēligibilis|t=that may be chosen]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|ēligere|t=to choose, select]] (see [[elect]]) and the suffix [[m|la|-ibilis]] (see [[-ible]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Fit or proper to be chosen: probably before 1425 in Barnhart, the early 15th century in Etymonline;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) the OED's earliest example of fitness for an office or position is from 1561.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Fit or deserving to be chosen or adopted, of things as well as people, is from 1603,^(OED 1989) and, as a weakening of this, desirable or acceptable from 1761.^(OED 1989) The sense of a desirable marriage partner, as in ''an eligible bachelor'', belongs here.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) As a plural noun, eligible persons or things, it is from 1844.^(OED 1989) In American football an eligible receiver is one allowed by the rules to catch a forward pass.^(AHD) [[eligibility|alt=Eligibility]] is from 1650.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1425 – fit to be chosen.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1561 – fit for an office.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1603 – deserving to be chosen.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1650 – eligibility.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1761 – desirable, acceptable.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1844 – eligibles, as a noun.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Qualified or entitled to be chosen or to take part: ''eligible to vote''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Desirable and suitable, especially as a [[husband]] or wife.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[eligibility]]

+ * [[eligibly]]

+ * [[noneligible]]

+ * [[reeligible]]

+ * [[supereligible]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[elite]]

+ * [[elect]]

+ * [[elegant]]

+ * [[election]]

+ * [[legible]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}