availability English · revision 7709

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1803}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˌveɪ.ləˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/ ''(UK)''; /əˌveɪ.ləˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[available]] and [[-ity]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) as -ability after available.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The quality of being available, capability of advantageous use: 1803.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In American politics it meant the quality in a candidate that suggests a good chance of success, apart from merit, through personal popularity (1848);^(OED 1989)^(Bartlett 1848) Bartlett noted the same thing in the papal elections, where a candidate's old age often favoured him.^(Bartlett 1848) Chambers marks this sense archaic.^(Chambers 2008) Something available, an available person or thing, is from 1840 in HTOED and 1867 in the OED.^(HTOED)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1803 – being available.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1840 – that which is available.^(HTOED)

+ * 1848 – electability (US politics).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The quality or state of being [[available]].^(MWU 2024)^(Chambers 2008)

+ # An available person or thing.^(MW Collegiate)^(MWU 2024)

+ # ''(US politics, archaic)'' A candidate's prospect of success through popularity rather than merit.^(MWU 2024)^(Chambers 2008)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[bioavailability]]

+ * [[interavailability]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[available]]

+ * [[avail]]

+ * [[value]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}