unnecessary English · revision 7122

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=mid-15th century}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ʌnˈnɛs.ə.ɹɪ/; /ʌnˈnɛs.ə.s(ə)ɹɪ/, /ʌnˈnɛs.əˌsɛɹ.ɪ/ ''(UK)''; /ʌnˈnɛs.əˌsɛɹ.i/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[un-]] and [[necessary]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Needless, not required: the mid-15th century in Etymonline, the 15th century in MWU;^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) 1548 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As a plural noun, unnecessary things, it is from 1559.^(OED 1989) An obsolete sense, not requiring much, is from 1605.^(OED 1989) The colloquial ''come over all unnecessary'', to become suddenly agitated or emotional, is from 1961.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * mid-15th century – needless.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1559 – unnecessaries (noun).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1961 – come over all unnecessary.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Not [[necessary]]; [[needless]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # More than is necessary; excessive: ''unnecessary force''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[unnecessarily]]

+ * [[unnecessariness]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[necessary]]

+ * [[necessity]]

+ * [[need]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}