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A aggravate – Some have argued that this word should not be used in the sense of "to annoy" or "to oppress", but only to mean "to make worse". According to AHDI, the use of "aggravate" as "annoy" occurs in English as far back as the 17th century. In Latin, from which the word was borrowed, both meanings were used. Sixty-eight percent of AHD4's usage panel approves of its use in "It's the ...
Non-standard: They have run the numbers and they know that enough guys slip through the cracks the first time they come through the league that it's worth giving unproven guys a shot as opposed to a veteran on the downside of his career whose already shown what he will be.
English is a West Germanic language that has borrowed many words from non-Germanic languages, and the spelling of a word often reflects its origin. This sometimes gives a clue as to the meaning of the word. Even if their pronunciation has strayed from the original pronunciation, the spelling is a record of the phoneme.
Springfield, MA, Oct. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today Merriam-Webster announced the addition of 200 new words and definitions to its iconic dictionary – maybe not a beach read, but worthy of a For You page and nearly as irresistible as street corn. All the additions have demonstrated widespread use over time, and offer a window into the ...
English has generally preserved the original spelling when borrowing words; and even more importantly, English began to be widely written and printed during the Middle English period: the later development of modern English included a Great Vowel Shift and many other changes in phonology, yet the older spellings, which are no longer phonetic ...
An etymological fallacy becomes possible when a word's meaning shifts over time from its original meaning. Such changes can include a narrowing or widening of scope or a change of connotation (amelioration or pejoration). In some cases, modern usage can shift to the point where the new meaning has no evident connection to its etymon.
sorted, to have or get fixed, have problems worked out, so things are working correctly ("He's really got it sorted now.") to arrange or classify; often used with out spanner general term for a tool used for turning nuts, bolts, etc. (US: wrench, q.v.) something interfering (US: (monkey) wrench)
In American usage, the spelling of words is usually not changed when they form the main part (not prefix or suffix) of other words, especially in newly formed words and in words whose main part is in common use. Words with this spelling difference include appall, enrollment, fulfillment, installment, skillful, thralldom, willful. These words ...