urgent English · revision 7416

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=mid-15th century|origins=la urgeo}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɜː.d͡ʒənt/ ''(UK)''; /ˈɝ.d͡ʒənt/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|urgent|t=pressing, impelling]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)^(Cresswell 2021) from Latin [[m|la|urgens]], the present participle of [[m|la|urgeo|alt=urgēre|t=to press hard, urge]] (see [[urge]]).^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In the phrase ''urgent causes'', pressing matters: the mid-15th century in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) demanding prompt action, 1496 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Severe or oppressive is an obsolete sense of 1545.^(OED 1989) Of persons, pressingly insistent or importunate, is from 1548,^(OED 1989) and of a feeling that impels, from 1559.^(OED 1989) Of commands or messages pressing a matter strongly it is from 1611.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 1496 – demanding prompt action.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1548 – importunate.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1611 – of messages.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Requiring immediate action or attention; [[pressing]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Expressing a need for prompt action; insistent: ''an urgent request''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[urgently]]

+ * [[superurgent]]

+ * [[unurgent]]

+ * [[nonurgent]]

+ * [[urgency]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[urge]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}