rev English · revision 7658

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=clipping|attested=1901}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɹɛv/ ''(UK)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a shortening of [[revolution]], of an engine or motor.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A revolution of an engine: 1901 in Barnhart, the OED and Etymonline;^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) about 1890 in MWU.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The rev-counter is from 1917.^(OED 1989) The verb, to make an engine run fast, especially when not in gear, is from 1916 in Etymonline, 1918 in MWU and 1920 in the OED and Barnhart,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) and of the engine itself running quickly from 1923.^(OED 1989) ''Revved-up'', figuratively excited, is from 1931.^(OED 1989) To make livelier or more productive, ''rev up'', is a further figurative sense.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1901 – a revolution of an engine.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1916 – the verb.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1917 – rev-counter.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1931 – revved-up.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(informal)'' A [[revolution]] of an engine, or ''(revs)'' revolutions per minute.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To increase the speed of an [[engine]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(rev up)'' To make livelier, or to accelerate.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[revolution]]

+ * [[revolve]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Rev. with a capital is also the abbreviation of Reverend and of the book of Revelation.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}