articulate (v.) — asinine (adj.)

articulate (v.)

1590s, "to divide speech into distinct parts" (earlier in a now-obsolete sense "to formally bring charges against," 1550s), from Latin articulatus, past participle of articulare "to separate into joints," also "to utter distinctly," from articulus "a part, a member, a joint" (see article).ETD articulate (v.).2

The generalized sense of "express in words" is from 1690s. In a physical sense, "to join, to attach by joints," it is attested from 1610s. The earlier meaning "set forth in articles" (1560s) now is obsolete or nearly so. Related: Articulated; articulating.ETD articulate (v.).3

articulation (n.)

early 15c., articulacioun (Chauliac), "a joint or joining; setting of bones," from Old French articulation, from Medieval Latin articulationem (nominative articulatio) "separation into joints," noun of action from past-participle stem of articulare "to separate (meat) into joints," also "to utter distinctly," from articulus, diminutive of artus "joint" (see article). The meaning "the uttering of articulate sounds" is from 1610s.ETD articulation (n.).2

articulate (adj.)

1580s in the speech sense, "divided into distinct parts," hence "clear, distinct" (1570s as "set forth in articles"), from Latin articulatus "separated into joints" (see articulate (v.)). Compare Latin articulatim (adv.) "distinctly, in clear sequence." The physical meaning "composed of segments united by joints" in English is from c. 1600. The general sense of "speaking accurately" is short for articulate-speaking (1829). Related: Articulately.ETD articulate (adj.).2

articular (adj.)

"involving joints," early 15c., from Latin articularis "pertaining to the joints," from articulus "a joint" (see article).ETD articular (adj.).2

artifact (n.)

1821, artefact, "artificial production, anything made or modified by human art," from Italian artefatto, from Latin arte "by skill" (ablative of ars "art;" see art (n.)) + factum "thing made," from facere "to make, do" (from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put"). The word is attested in German from 1791. The English spelling with -i- is attested by 1884, by influence of the Latin stem (as in artifice). Originally a word in anatomy to denote artificial conditions caused by operation, etc.; archaeological application in English dates from 1885 (in German from 1875).ETD artifact (n.).2

artifactual (adj.)

also artefactual, "not natural, of the nature of an artifact," 1914, from artifact + -ual as in factual. Earlier artefact was used as an adjective (1909).ETD artifactual (adj.).2

artifice (n.)

1530s, "workmanship, the making of something by craft or skill," from French artifice "skill, cunning" (14c.), from Latin artificium "a profession, trade, employment, craft; a making by art; a work of art," from artifex (genitive artificis) "craftsman, artist, master of an art" (music, acting, sculpting, etc.), from stem of ars "art" (see art (n.)) + facere "to make, do" (from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put"). The meaning "crafty device, trick" is from 1650s.ETD artifice (n.).2

artificer (n.)

late 14c., "one who makes by art or skill," agent noun from artifice. Especially an inventor of devious artifices (c. 1600). The military sense of "soldier-mechanic" dates from 1758.ETD artificer (n.).2

artificial (adj.)

late 14c., "not natural or spontaneous," from Old French artificial, from Latin artificialis "of or belonging to art," from artificium "a work of art; skill; theory, system," from artifex (genitive artificis) "craftsman, artist, master of an art" (music, acting, sculpting, etc.), from stem of ars "art" (see art (n.)) + -fex "maker," from facere "to do, make" (from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put").ETD artificial (adj.).2

The earliest use in English seems to be in the phrase artificial day "part of the day from sunrise to sunset" (as opposed to the natural day of 24 hours). The meaning "made by man, contrived by human skill and labor" is from early 15c. The word was applied from 16c. to anything made in imitation of, or as a substitute for, what is natural, whether real (light, tears) or not (teeth, flowers). The meaning "fictitious, assumed, not genuine" is from 1640s; that of "full of affectation, insincere" is from 1590s.ETD artificial (adj.).3

Artificial insemination dates from 1894. Artificial intelligence "the science and engineering of making intelligent machines" was coined in 1956.ETD artificial (adj.).4

artificially (adv.)

"by art or human skill and contrivance," early 15c.; see artificial + -ly (2).ETD artificially (adv.).2

artificiality (n.)

"appearance of art; insincerity," 1763; see artificial + -ity. Earlier was artificialness (1590s); Middle English had artificy (early 15c.).ETD artificiality (n.).2

artillery (n.)

late 14c., "warlike munitions," especially ballistic engines, from Anglo-French artillerie, Old French artillerie (14c.), from artillier "to provide with engines of war" (13c.), which probably is from Medieval Latin articulum "art, skill," a diminutive of Latin ars (genitive artis) "art." But some would connect it to Latin articulum "joint," others to Latin apere "to attach, join," and still others to Old French atillier "to equip," altered by influence of arte.ETD artillery (n.).2

Originally any engine for discharging missiles (catapults, slings, bows, etc.); the modern restriction to "ordnance, large guns" is from 16c. Technically, "all firearms discharged from carriages," as opposed to small arms, discharged by hand. As a branch of the army, from 1786.ETD artillery (n.).3

artillerist (n.)

"person skilled in gunnery," 1778; see artillery + -ist. Artilleryman is from 1630s. Middle English had artiller "maker of arms" (mid-15c.), from Old French artiller.ETD artillerist (n.).2

artisan (n.)

1530s, "one skilled in any mechanical art, craftsman," from Italian artigiano, from Vulgar Latin *artitianus, from Latin artitus "skilled," past participle of artire "to instruct in the arts," from ars (genitive artis) "art" (see art (n.)). Barnhart reports French artisan, often given as the direct source of the English word, is attested too late to be so.ETD artisan (n.).2

artisan (adj.)

"of, pertaining to, or in the manner of artisans," 1610s (artizan skinners), from artisan (n.) or from adjectival use of the noun in French.ETD artisan (adj.).2

artist (n.)

1580s, "one who cultivates one of the fine arts," from French artiste (14c.), from Italian artista, from Medieval Latin artista, from Latin ars (see art (n.)).ETD artist (n.).2

Originally especially of the arts presided over by the Muses (history, poetry, comedy, tragedy, music, dancing, astronomy), but also used 17c. for "one skilled in any art or craft" (including professors, surgeons, craftsmen, cooks). Since mid-18c. especially of "one who practices the arts of design or visual arts."ETD artist (n.).3

artiste (n.)

"one skillful in some art not considered one of the fine arts; one who makes an art of his employment," attested by 1819 in English, from 1804 as a French word in English, from French artiste; an English reborrowing of artist, at first in a foreign context, later used to fill the gap after the sense of artist had become limited toward the visual arts and especially painting.ETD artiste (n.).2

artistic (adj.)

"pertaining to art or artists" in any sense, but especially in the aesthetic sense; also "characterized by conformity with one of the fine arts; displaying excellence of design and execution," 1753, from French artistique, from artiste (see artist). Native artist-like was recorded from 1711; artistly from 1754; artistical from 1798. Related: Artistically.ETD artistic (adj.).2

artistry (n.)

"artistic quality," 1837, from artist + -ry; as chemistry from chemist, etc.ETD artistry (n.).2

artless (adj.)

1580s, "unskillful," from art (n.) + -less. Later also "uncultured, rude" (1590s); then "unartificial, natural" (1670s) and "guileless, ingenuous" (1713). Related: Artlessly; artlessness.ETD artless (adj.).2

art nouveau

decorative, design, and architectural style popular from c. 1890 to World War I, characterized by intricate designs and flowing curves based on natural forms, 1900, from French l'art nouveau (by 1895), literally "new art" (see novel (adj.)). Called in German Jugendstil.ETD art nouveau.2

artsy (adj.)

"pretentiously artistic," 1902, from arts (see art (n.)); originally artsy-craftsy, with reference to the arts and crafts movement; always more or less dismissive or pejorative; artsy-fartsy was in use by 1971.ETD artsy (adj.).2

artwork (n.)

also art-work, "artistic work; paintings, drawings, etc.," 1847, from art (n.) + work (n.). Perhaps modeled on German Kunstwerk.ETD artwork (n.).2

arugula (n.)

edible cruciform plant (Eruca sativa) used originally in the Mediterranean region as a salad, 1967, the American English and Australian form of the name (via Italian immigrants), from a dialectal variant of Italian ruchetta, a diminutive form of ruca-, from Latin eruca, a name of some cabbage-like plant (from PIE *gher(s)-uka-, from root *ghers- "to bristle;" for which see horror).ETD arugula (n.).2

In England, the usual name is rocket (see rocket (n.1)), which is from Italian ruchetta via French roquette. It also sometimes is called hedge mustard.ETD arugula (n.).3

ARVN (n.)

acronym for Army of the Republic of Vietnam, ground military force of South Vietnam, organized 1955.ETD ARVN (n.).2

Aryanism (n.)

1858, "characteristic Aryan principles," from Aryan + -ism. As a belief in cultural or racial superiority of Aryans, from 1905.ETD Aryanism (n.).2

Aryanize (v.)

"to render 'Aryan,'" in the Nazi sense, 1935, from Aryan + -ize. Related: Aryanized; Aryanizing.ETD Aryanize (v.).2

Aryan

c. 1600, as a term in classical history, from Latin Arianus, Ariana, from Greek Aria, Areia, names applied in classical times to the eastern part of ancient Persia and to its inhabitants. Ancient Persians used the name in reference to themselves (Old Persian ariya-), hence Iran. Ultimately from Sanskrit arya- "compatriot;" in later language "noble, of good family."ETD Aryan.2

Also the name Sanskrit-speaking invaders of India gave themselves in the ancient texts. Thus it was the word early 19c. European philologists (Friedrich Schlegel, 1819, who linked it with German Ehre "honor") applied to the ancient people we now call Indo-Europeans, suspecting that this is what they called themselves. This use is attested in English from 1851. In German from 1845 it was specifically contrasted to Semitic (Lassen).ETD Aryan.3

German philologist Max Müller (1823-1900) popularized Aryan in his writings on comparative linguistics, recommending it as the name (replacing Indo-European, Indo-Germanic, Caucasian, Japhetic) for the group of related, inflected languages connected with these peoples, mostly found in Europe but also including Sanskrit and Persian. The spelling Arian was used in this sense from 1839 (and is more philologically correct), but it caused confusion with Arian, the term in ecclesiastical history.ETD Aryan.4

Aryan was gradually replaced in comparative linguistics c. 1900 by Indo-European, except when used to distinguish Indo-European languages of India from non-Indo-European ones. From the 1920s Aryan began to be used in Nazi ideology to mean "member of a Caucasian Gentile race of Nordic type." As an ethnic designation, however, it is properly limited to Indo-Iranians (most justly to the latter) and has fallen from general academic use since the Nazis adopted it.ETD Aryan.5

as (adv., conj., pron.)

c. 1200, worn-down form of Old English alswa "quite so, wholly so," literally "all so" (see also), fully established by c. 1400. Equivalent to so; any distinction in use is purely idiomatic. Related to German als "as, than," from Middle High German also.ETD as (adv., conj., pron.).2

Phrase as well "just as much" is recorded from late 15c.; the phrase also can imply "as well as not," "as well as anything else." Phrase as if, in Kantian metaphysics (translating German als ob), introducing a supposition not to be taken literally, is from 1892; as an interjection of incredulity (as if!; i.e. "as if that really could happen") is attested from 1995. It duplicates Latin quasi. Phrase as it were "as if it were so" is attested from late 14c.ETD as (adv., conj., pron.).3

-ase

word-forming element used in naming enzymes, from ending of diastase.ETD -ase.2

as-

assimilated form of ad- before -s-.ETD as-.2

*as-

also *es-, Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to burn, glow."ETD *as-.2

It forms all or part of: ardent; ardor; area; arid; aridity; aril; arson; ash (n.1) "powdery remains of fire;" azalea; potash; potassium.ETD *as-.3

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit asah "ashes, dust;" Hittite hat- "to dry up;" Greek azein "to dry up, parch," azaleos "dry;" Latin aridus "parched, dry," ārēre "to be dry," āra "altar, hearth;" Armenian azazem "I dry up;" Old English æsce "ash," Old High German asca, Gothic azgo "ashes."ETD *as-.4

asafetida (n.)

"pungent sap from the roots of several plants native to Persia and Afghanistan," used as a drug, late 14c., from Medieval Latin asa (Latinized from Persian aza "mastic") + foetida, fem. of foetidus "stinking" (see fetid).ETD asafetida (n.).2

asafoetida (n.)

alternative spelling of asafetida (q.v.); also see oe.ETD asafoetida (n.).2

a.s.a.p.

also asap, adverbial phrase pronounced either as a word (acronym) or as four letters (initialism), 1920, in a list of abbreviations recommended for secretaries in dental offices, from initial letters of phrase as soon as possible. The article (Walter E. Fancher, D.D.S., "The Practical Application of the Dental Hygienist in General Practice," in Oral Hygiene, March 1920) also has A.S.A.C. for as soon as convenient.ETD a.s.a.p..2

asap

see a.s.a.p.ETD asap.2

asbestine (adj.)

"pertaining to or of the nature of asbestos; incombustible," 1620s, from Latin asbestinus, from Greek asbestinos, from asbestos (see asbestos).ETD asbestine (adj.).2

asbestos (n.)

1650s, earlier albeston, abestus (c. 1100), name of a fabulous stone, which, set afire, could not be extinguished; from Old French abeste, abestos (Modern French asbeste), from Latin asbestos "quicklime" (which "burns" when cold water is poured on it), from Greek asbestos, literally "inextinguishable," from a- "not" (see a- (3)) + sbestos, verbal adjective from sbennynai "to quench," from PIE root *(s)gwes- "to quench, extinguish" (source also of Lithuanian gesti "to go out," Old Church Slavonic gaso, Hittite kishtari "is being put out").ETD asbestos (n.).2

The Greek word was used by Dioscorides as a noun meaning "quicklime." "Erroneously applied by Pliny to an incombustible fibre, which he believed to be vegetable, but which was really the amiantos of the Greeks" [OED]. Asbestos in this "fibrous mineral capable of being woven into incombustible fabric" sense is in English from c. 1600; earlier this had been called amiant (early 15c.), from the Greek word mentioned above, which means "undefiled" (because it showed no mark or stain when thrown into fire). Supposed in the Middle Ages to be salamanders' wool; another old name for it in English was fossil linen (18c.). Prester John, the Emperor of India, and Pope Alexander III were said to have had robes or tunics made of it.ETD asbestos (n.).3

asbestosis (n.)

"lung disease caused by inhalation of asbestos," 1927; see asbestos + -osis.ETD asbestosis (n.).2

ascendancy (n.)

"dominant power or influence, state of being in the ascendant," 1712; see ascendant + -cy.ETD ascendancy (n.).2

ascend (v.)

late 14c., ascenden, "move upward," from Latin ascendere "to climb up, mount," of planets, constellations, "come over the horizon," figuratively "to rise, reach;" from ad "to" (see ad-) + scandere "to climb" (see scan (v.)).ETD ascend (v.).2

The meaning "slope upward" is from 1832. Related: Ascended; ascending. An Old English word for it was stigan (see sty (v.)).ETD ascend (v.).3

ascendence (n.)

alternative spelling of ascendance (see -ance). Related: Ascendent; ascendency.ETD ascendence (n.).2

ascendance (n.)

1742, from ascend + -ance. According to OED, properly "the act of ascending," but used from the start in English as a synonym of ascendancy "state of being in the ascendant, governing or controlling influence."ETD ascendance (n.).2

ascendant (adj.)

late 14c., ascendent, in astrology, "rising over the horizon," from Latin ascendentem (nominative ascendans), present participle of ascendere "to mount, ascend, go up" (see ascend). The sense "moving upward, rising" is recorded from 1590s.ETD ascendant (adj.).2

As a noun in astrology, "point of the ecliptic or sign of the zodiac which is on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth." The planet that rules the ascendant is believed to have predominant influence on the horoscope. Hence in the ascendant "ruling, dominant" (not, as is often thought, "rising"), 1670s, and the adjective meaning "superior, dominant," 1806.ETD ascendant (adj.).3

ascender (n.)

"one who ascends," 1620s, agent noun from ascend (v.). In typography, "an ascending letter," by 1867.ETD ascender (n.).2

ascending (adj.)

"proceeding from a lower position to a higher," 1610s, present-participle adjective from ascend (v.).ETD ascending (adj.).2

ascension (n.)

c. 1300, "ascent of Christ from earth into Heaven in the presence of his disciples on the 40th day after the Resurrection," from Latin ascensionem (nominative ascensio) "a rising," noun of action from past-participle stem of ascendere "to mount, ascend, go up" (see ascend). The astronomical sense is recorded late 14c.; the meaning "action of ascending" is from 1590s. Related: Ascensional.ETD ascension (n.).2

ascent (n.)

c. 1610, "action of rising, upward movement," from ascend on model of descend/descent. The meaning "act of climbing" is from 1753.ETD ascent (n.).2

ascertainable (adj.)

"capable of being found out," 1765, from ascertain + -able. Related: Ascertainably.ETD ascertainable (adj.).2

ascertainment (n.)

1650s, "a reducing to certainty;" see ascertain + -ment. From 1799 as "act of attaining certainty, discovery as a result of investigation."ETD ascertainment (n.).2

ascertain (v.)

early 15c., "to inform, to give assurance" (a sense now obsolete), from Anglo-French acerteiner, Old French acertener "to assure, certify" (13c.), from a- "to" (see ad-) + certain "sure, assured" (see certain). The meaning "find out for sure by experiment or investigation" is attested by 1794. Related: Ascertained; ascertaining.ETD ascertain (v.).2

ascetic (adj.)

1640s, "practicing rigorous self-denial as a religious exercise," from Latinized form of Greek asketikos "rigorously self-disciplined, laborious," from asketēs "monk, hermit," earlier "skilled worker, one who practices an art or trade," especially "athlete, one in training for the arena," from askein "to exercise, train," especially "to train for athletic competition, practice gymnastics, exercise," perhaps originally "to fashion material, embellish or refine material."ETD ascetic (adj.).2

The Greek word was applied by the stoics to the controlling of the appetites and passions as the path to virtue and was picked up from them by the early Christians. The figurative sense of "unduly strict or austere" also is from 1640s. Related: Ascetical (1610s).ETD ascetic (adj.).3

ascetic (n.)

1650s, "one rigorous in self-denial," especially as an act of religious devotion; 1670s, Ascetic, "one of the early Christians who retired to the desert to live solitary lives of meditation, self-denial, and prayer," from ascetic (adj.).ETD ascetic (n.).2

asceticism (n.)

1640s, from ascetic (adj.) + -ism. Sometimes also ascetism (1830).ETD asceticism (n.).2

Ascians (n.)

inhabitants of the torrid zone, 1630s, from Medieval Latin Ascii, from Greek askioi, from a- "not, without" (see a- (3)) + skia "shade, shadow," which Beekes derives from PIE *skhieh- "shadow" (source also of Sanskrit chaya "shadow," also "image;" Persian saya "shadow," Albanian hie "shadow"). So called because they "haue the Sunne twice euery yeere in their zenith, and then they make no shaddowes at all" [Nathanael Carpenter, "Geographie Delineated forth in Two Bookes," 1635].ETD Ascians (n.).2

ASCII

1963, initialism (acronym) from "American Standard Code for Information Interchange."ETD ASCII.2

ascites (n.)

"abdominal dropsy," late 14c., from Latin ascites, from Greek askitēs (hydrops), literally "baglike dropsy," from askos "leather bag, sack, wine-skin," a word of unknown origin.ETD ascites (n.).2

ascitic (adj.)

"afflicted with ascites," 1680s; see ascites + -ic. Related: Ascitical (1670s).ETD ascitic (adj.).2

Asclepius

Latinized form of Greek Asklepios, which is of unknown origin. Beekes finds the name "typical for Pre-Greek words." Originally a Thessalian prince famous as a physician, later regarded as a son of Apollo and god of medicine.ETD Asclepius.2

ascorbic (adj.)

1933 (in ascorbic acid), from a- (2) "off, away from" + scorbic, scorbutic "of scurvy," from Medieval Latin scorbuticus "scurvy," which is perhaps of German or Dutch origin. Originally in reference to Vitamin C, which is an anti-scorbutic.ETD ascorbic (adj.).2

Ascot

village near Windsor, Berkshire, literally "eastern cottage." The site of fashionable horse race meetings, hence its use attributively for clothes suitable for the event; especially a type of tie (1889).ETD Ascot.2

ascribe (v.)

mid-14c., ascrive, "attribute, impute, credit" (something to someone), from Old French ascrivre "to inscribe; attribute, impute," from Latin ascribere "to write in, enter in a list; add to in a writing," figuratively "impute, attribute," from ad "to" (see ad-) + scribere "to write" (from PIE root *skribh- "to cut"). The English spelling was conformed to Latin 16c. Related: Ascribed; ascribing.ETD ascribe (v.).2

ascribable (adj.)

"capable of being attributed," 1670s, from ascribe + -able. Related: Ascribably; ascribability.ETD ascribable (adj.).2

ascription (n.)

1590s, "action of adding in writing;" c. 1600, "attribution of authorship or origin," from Latin ascriptionem (nominative ascriptio) "an addition in writing," noun of action from past-participle stem of ascribere "to write in, add to in a writing; impute, attribute," from ad "to" (see ad-) + scribere "to write" (from PIE root *skribh- "to cut").ETD ascription (n.).2

ascus (n.)

"sack-like spore-case in lichens and certain other fungi," 1830, Modern Latin, from Greek askos "leather bag, wine-skin," which is of unknown origin. Plural asci.ETD ascus (n.).2

asea (adj.)

"at or to the sea," by 1809, from a- (1) "on" + sea.ETD asea (adj.).2

ASEAN

initialism (acronym) for Association of South-East Asian Nations, formed 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand; since expanded to 10 nations.ETD ASEAN.2

aseismic (n.)

"resistant to earthquake destruction," 1884, from a- (3) "not" + seismic. Alternative aseismatic "designed to be stable" is by 1868.ETD aseismic (n.).2

aseity (n.)

"a being by itself, independent existence," 1690s, from Medieval Latin aseitas "state of being by itself," from Latin a "from" (see ab-) + se "oneself" (see suicide).ETD aseity (n.).2

asepsis (n.)

"absence of micro-organisms causing putrefaction or fermentation," 1855, from a- (3) "not" + sepsis.ETD asepsis (n.).2

aseptic (adj.)

"free from the micro-organisms that cause putrefaction or fermentation," 1855, from a- (3) "not" + septic. As a noun, "aseptic substance," from 1884.ETD aseptic (adj.).2

asexual (adj.)

1829, as a term in biology, "having no sex or sexual system," a hybrid from a- (3) "not" + sexual. In general contexts, "wanting sexuality, being of or referring to neither sex," attested from 1896.ETD asexual (adj.).2

asexually (adv.)

"in an asexual manner, agamically," 1857; see asexual + -ly (2).ETD asexually (adv.).2

asexuality (n.)

"condition of being asexual," 1853, originally in biology; see asexual + -ity.ETD asexuality (n.).2

Asgard (n.)

in Norse religion, the home of the gods and goddesses and of heroes slain in battle, from Old Norse, from āss "god," which is related to Old English os, Gothic ans "god" (see Aesir) + garðr "enclosure, yard, garden" (from PIE root *gher- (1) "to grasp, enclose").ETD Asgard (n.).2

ash (n.1)

"powdery remains of fire," Middle English asshe, from Old English æsce "ash," from Proto-Germanic *askon (source also of Old Norse and Swedish aska, Old High German asca, German asche, Middle Dutch asche, Gothic azgo "ashes"), from PIE root *as- "to burn, glow." Spanish and Portuguese ascua "red-hot coal" are Germanic loan-words.ETD ash (n.1).2

An ancient symbol of grief or repentance; hence Ash Wednesday (c. 1300), from the custom introduced by Pope Gregory the Great of sprinkling ashes on the heads of penitents on the first day of Lent. Ashes meaning "mortal remains of a person" is attested from late 13c., in reference to the ancient custom of cremation. The meaning "finely pulverized lava thrown from a volcano" is from 1660s.ETD ash (n.1).3

ash (n.2)

popular name of a common type of forest tree of Eurasia, North America, and North Africa, Middle English asshe, from Old English æsc "ash tree," from Proto-Germanic *askaz, *askiz (source also of Old Norse askr, Old Saxon ask, Middle Dutch esce, German Esche), from PIE root *os- "ash tree" (source also of Armenian haci "ash tree," Albanian ah "beech," Greek oxya "beech," Latin ornus "wild mountain ash," Russian jasen, Lithuanian uosis "ash").ETD ash (n.2).2

The close-grained wood of the ash is tough and elastic, and it was the preferred wood for spear-shafts, so Old English æsc sometimes meant "spear," especially in poetry, as in æsc-here "company armed with spears," æsc-plega "war," literally "spear-play." Æsc also was the name of the Old English runic letter that begins the word.ETD ash (n.2).3

ashamed (adj.)

Old English asceamed "feeling shame, filled with shame," past participle of ascamian "to feel shame," from a- intensive prefix + scamian "be ashamed, blush; cause shame" (see shame (v.), and compare German erschämen). The verb is obsolete, but the past participle lives on. The meaning "reluctant through fear of shame" is c. 1300. Related: Ashamedly; ashamedness.ETD ashamed (adj.).2

Ashanti (n.)

also Ashantee, 1705, Asiantines, one of the Akan people of central Ghana; a native name. The language, part of the Niger-Congo family, is so called by 1874.ETD Ashanti (n.).2

ash-bin (n.)

"receptacle for ashes and other refuse," 1847, from ash (n.1) + bin (n.).ETD ash-bin (n.).2

ashen (adj.1)

"ash-colored, whitish-gray, deadly pale," 1807, from ash (n.1) + -en (2).ETD ashen (adj.1).2

ashen (adj.2)

"made of ash wood," c. 1300; see ash (n.2) + -en (2). The meaning "pertaining to the ash tree" is from 1560s.ETD ashen (adj.2).2

Asher

masc. proper name, biblical son of Jacob (also the name of a tribe descended from him), from Hebrew, literally "happy."ETD Asher.2

Asherah (n.)

wooden pillar used as symbol of the Canaanite goddess Ashera, 1839, a name of unknown origin.ETD Asherah (n.).2

ash-heap (n.)

"heap or pile of ashes or other refuse," 1640s, from ash (n.1) + heap (n.).ETD ash-heap (n.).2

ashy (adj.)

late 14c., asshi, "strewn with ashes" (as a sign of mourning), from ash (n.1) + -y (2). From early 15c. as "grayish, of the color of ash."ETD ashy (adj.).2

Ashkenazim (n.)

(plural) "central and northern European Jews" (as opposed to Sephardim, the Jews of Spain and Portugal), 1839, from Hebrew Ashkenazzim, plural of Ashkenaz, name of the eldest son of Gomer (Genesis x.3), also the name of a nation mentioned in Jeremiah li.27. Perhaps the people-name is akin to Greek skythoi "Scythians" (compare Akkadian ishkuzai) and altered by folk etymology.ETD Ashkenazim (n.).2

They were identified historically with various peoples; in the Middle Ages especially with the Germans, hence the word came to be used for "Jews of Germany and Poland," who far outnumbered the Sephardim and differed from them in pronunciation of Hebrew and in customs but not in doctrine. Related: Ashkenazic.ETD Ashkenazim (n.).3

ashlar (n.)

"square stone for building or paving," mid-14c., from Old French aisseler, Medieval Latin arsella "a little board or shingle," diminutive of Latin assis "a board, plank," also spelled axis, which is perhaps not the same axis that means "axle." De Vaan regards the Latin spelling axis as a hyper-correction. The stone sense is peculiar to English. The meaning "thin slab of stone used as facing on a wall" is from 1823.ETD ashlar (n.).2

Ashley

fem. proper name, all but unknown before c. 1965; one of the most popular names for girls born in U.S. from c. 1980; evidently inspired by the surname Ashley, Ashleigh (attested from 12c.), which means "clearing among the ash trees," from Old English æsc (see ash (n.2)) + leah (see lea).ETD Ashley.2

ashore (adv.)

1580s, "toward the shore," from a- (1) + shore (n.). The meaning "on the shore" is from 1630s. Middle English had ashore (late 15c.), but it meant "on a slant," literally "propped up," from shore (v.).ETD ashore (adv.).2

ash-pit (n.)

"repository for ashes," especially "lower part of a furnace," 1797, from ash (n.1) + pit (n.1). Older is ash-hole (1640s).ETD ash-pit (n.).2

ashram (n.)

"religious hermitage," 1900, from Sanskrit asramah, from a-, adnomial prefix (from PIE adverbial particle ē), + sramah "effort, toll, fatigue."ETD ashram (n.).2

ash-tray (n.)

also ashtray, "receptacle for smokers' ashes," 1851, from ash (n.1) + tray.ETD ash-tray (n.).2

Ashura (n.)

Islamic voluntary fast on the 10th day of Muharram, Arabic Ashura', literally "tenth," from 'ashara "ten."ETD Ashura (n.).2

Asia

c. 1300, from Latin Asia, from Greek Asia, speculated to be from Akkadian asu "to go out, to rise," in reference to the sun, thus "the land of the sunrise." Used by the early Greeks of what later was known as Asia Minor; by Pliny of the whole continent.ETD Asia.2

Asiago

type of Italian cheese, by 1922, named for town of Asiago (German Schlägen) in the Veneto region of Italy.ETD Asiago.2

Asian (n.)

late 14c., "inhabitant of Asia (Minor)," from Latin Asianus (adjective and noun, "belonging to the province of Asia;" "an inhabitant of Asia"), from Greek Asianos "Asiatic," from Asia (see Asia). It ousted Asiatic as the preferred term mid-20c.ETD Asian (n.).2

As an adjective in English, "of or pertaining to Asia," from 1560s; common from c. 1930. Related: Asianic (1879).ETD Asian (n.).3

Asiatic (adj.)

"belonging to or characteristic of Asia," 1630s, from Latin Asiaticus (surname of general Lucius Cornelius Scipio), from Greek Asiatikos, from Asia (see Asia; also compare Asian). As a noun, "native or inhabitant of Asia," by 1763. In ancient Rome, Asiatici oratores was florid and overly ornate prose.ETD Asiatic (adj.).2

aside (adv.)

c. 1300, "off to one side;" mid-14c., "to or from the side;" late 14c., "away or apart from a normal direction or position, out of the way," from a- (1) "on" + side (n.). The noun sense of "words spoken so as to be (supposed) inaudible" is from 1727. Middle English had asidely "on the side, indirectly" (early 15c.) and asideward "sideways, horizontal" (late 14c.). It was used colloquially as a preposition from 1590s.ETD aside (adv.).2

asine (n.)

"she-ass," 1530s, from French asine (Old French asin), from Latin asina (see ass (n.1)).ETD asine (n.).2

asinine (adj.)

c. 1600, "obstinate, stupid, offensively silly," from Latin asininus "stupid," literally "like an ass," from asinus "ass," also "dolt, blockhead" (see ass (n.1)). The literal sense in English is recorded from 1620s. Related: Asininity.ETD asinine (adj.).2