runner English · revision 7124

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1300}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɹʌnə/ ''(UK)''; /ˈɹʌnɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English rinner, renner, runner, from rinnen, rennen, to [[run]], and [[-er]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A messenger on foot: about 1300 in Etymonline, before 1300 in the OED;^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) one who runs, a racer, the early 14th century (about 1325).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A wanderer or vagabond is from 1574 and obsolete.^(OED 1989) The rooting stem of a plant, as of a strawberry, is from the 1660s.^(Etymonline) A smuggler, one who evades legal restrictions, is by 1721,^(Etymonline) and a police officer from 1771.^(Etymonline) In baseball a base runner is from 1845,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and in cricket one who runs for a disabled batsman from 1862.^(OED 1989) An embroidered cloth for a table is from 1888.^(Etymonline) The blade of a skate or the strip on which a sledge or drawer slides are among its many technical senses.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1300 – a messenger.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1325 – a racer.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1660s – a plant runner.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1721 – a smuggler.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1771 – a police officer.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1845 – a base runner.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person or animal that runs, especially in a race.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A messenger or agent, as for a bank or broker.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A long, narrow part on which something slides, as on a [[sledge]] or skate.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A creeping stem that sends out roots, as in strawberries; a [[stolon]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A long, narrow rug or tablecloth.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' A smuggler.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[forerunner]]

+ * [[front-runner]]

+ * [[racerunner]]

+ * [[roadrunner]]

+ * [[rumrunner]]

+ * [[runner-up]]

+ * [[base runner]]

+ * [[blue runner]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[run]]

+ * [[running]]

+ * [[runner bean]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}