urge English · revision 7891

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1555|origins=la urgeo}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɝd͡ʒ/; /ɜːd͡ʒ/ ''(UK)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|urgeo|alt=urgēre|t=to press hard, push forward, drive, compel]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) borrowed under the influence of the earlier English [[urgent]].^(Barnhart 1988) De Vaan derives the Latin verb perhaps from a PIE *uerǵʰ-, to tie, bind, via the notion of weighing down on,^(Etymonline) the root also of Lithuanian veržti, to squeeze, and Old English wrecan, to drive (see [[wreak]]).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To press, impel, force onward: about 1555 in MWU, 1560 in Barnhart and the OED, the 1550s in Etymonline.^(MWU 2024)^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To press a point on someone's attention is from 1560,^(OED 1989) to entreat or plead with someone from 1568 (the 1560s),^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and to advocate a course earnestly from 1595.^(OED 1989) The noun, an impelling force or impulse, is from before 1618 (the 1610s);^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) the Century Dictionary (1902) marked it rare, and the OED found it in frequent use only from about 1910.^(Etymonline) In dialect from Cheshire to Kent urge meant to shove or push.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1555 – to press onward.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1560 – to press upon attention.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1568 – to entreat.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1595 – to advocate.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1618 – the noun.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1910 – the noun in frequent use.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To try earnestly to persuade; to [[plead]] with or [[exhort]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To recommend or insist on earnestly: ''to urge caution''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To drive or force onward.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A strong [[impulse]] or [[desire]] to do something.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[urger]]

+ * [[urgingly]]

+ * [[overurge]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[urgent]]

+ * [[urgency]]

+ * [[wreak]]

+ * [[wrack]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}