electoral English · revision 7656

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1675}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪˈlɛk.tə.ɹəl/, /ɪˈlɛk.tɹəl/ ''(UK)''; /ɪˈlɛk.tɚ.əl/, /əˈlɛk.tɚ.əl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[elector]] and -al.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Holding rank as, or belonging to, a German Elector: 1675 in the OED and MWU, the 1670s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As a noun, an elector, it is obsolete from 1692.^(OED 1989) The general sense, relating to or composed of electors, is from 1790.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The American ''electoral college'' is so called from 1808, the term having been used earlier of Germany.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1675 – of a German Elector.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1692 – an elector (noun, obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1790 – of electors in general.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1808 – the US electoral college.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of, relating to or made up of [[elector|alt=electors]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of or relating to an [[election]].^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[electorally]]

+ * [[electoral college]]

+ * [[electoral vote]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[elector]]

+ * [[election]]

+ * [[elect]]

+ * [[electorate]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}