mighty English · revision 7803

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 825|origins=gem-pro *mahtigaz}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈmaɪti/ ''(UK)''; /ˈmaɪti/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|ang|mihtig|t=mighty, powerful]], earlier mæhtig,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from Proto-Germanic *mahtiga-,^(Etymonline) formed from miht, [[might]], and -ig, [[-y]].^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) Its cognates include Old Saxon mahtig, Dutch [[m|nl|machtig]] and German [[m|de|mächtig]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Possessed of might, said of God, rulers and nations, and of persons with physical or mental strength: about 825.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of drugs, liquors or spells, potent, it is from about 1000,^(OED 1989) and of things or forces from about 1250.^(OED 1989) Of persons powerful through wealth or position it is from about 1375.^(OED 1989) As an adverb, very, exceedingly, it is from about 1300 and is now colloquial.^(Etymonline)^(AHD) Might itself was an adjective in Old and Middle English, powerful, great,^(Etymonline) and Middle English had a verb mighten, to strengthen.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 825 – powerful.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1000 – of drugs, potent.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1300 – the adverb.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1375 – of wealthy persons.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Having or showing great [[power]], strength or force.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Very large or impressive: ''a mighty river''.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # ''(informal)'' Very; extremely: ''mighty glad''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[mightiness]]

+ * [[mightily]]

+ * [[overmighty]]

+ * [[high and mighty]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[might]]

+ * [[almighty]]

+ * [[may]]

+ * [[main]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}