revolutionary English · revision 7126

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1694}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌɹɛvəˈluːʃənɹi/, /-ˈljuː-/ ''(UK)''; /ˌɹɛvəˈluʃənɛɹi/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[revolution]] and [[-ary]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) partly after French [[m|fr|révolutionnaire]].^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Pertaining to a revolution in government: 1774 in the OED and Etymonline;^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) MWU dates it to 1694.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Revolving, marked by rotation, is from 1832.^(OED 1989) The noun, one who instigates or takes part in a revolution, is by 1850 (compare [[revolutionist]]),^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and MWU dates it to 1795.^(MWU 2024) Involving a great or complete change, as ''a revolutionary new design'', followed.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1694 – first use (MWU).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1774 – of political revolution.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1832 – revolving.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1850 – a revolutionary (noun).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Involving or causing a complete or dramatic change: ''a revolutionary idea''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Relating to or engaged in political [[revolution]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(Revolutionary)'' Of a particular revolution, such as the American or French.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who takes part in or supports a revolution.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[revolutionarily]]

+ * [[revolutionariness]]

+ * [[nonrevolutionary]]

+ * [[prorevolutionary]]

+ * [[ultrarevolutionary]]

+ * [[unrevolutionary]]

+ * [[antirevolutionary]]

+ * [[counterrevolutionary]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[revolution]]

+ * [[revolve]]

+ * [[revolt]]

+ * [[evolution]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}