adequacy (n.) — adulteration (n.)
"condition of being proportionate or sufficient; a sufficiency for a particular purpose," 1794; see adequate + abstract noun suffix -cy. Adequateness is from 1670s.ETD adequacy (n.).2
French, à deux, literally "for two," from à, from Latin ad "to, toward; for" (see ad-) + deux (see deuce). By 1876 as a French term in English.ETD a deux.2
late 14c., "sticking, clinging to, adhesive," from Old French adherent or directly from Latin adhaerentem (nominative adhaerens), present participle of adhaerere "stick to," from ad "to" (see ad-) + haerere "to stick" (see hesitation).ETD adherent (adj.).2
early 15c., "follower, supporter, one who upholds (a leader, cause, etc.)," from Old French adherent or directly from Latin adhaerentem (nominative adhaerens), present participle of adhaerere "stick to," from ad "to" (see ad-) + haerere "to stick" (see hesitation). Meaning "adhesive substance" is from 1912.ETD adherent (n.).2
mid-15c., "steady attachment of the mind or feelings to a person, cause, belief, etc.," from Old French adhérence, from Medieval Latin adhaerentia, abstract noun from Latin adhaerent-, present participle stem of adhaerare "stick to," from ad "to" (see ad-) + haerere "to stick" (see hesitation). Rare in a physical sense, adhesion being the usual word for that.ETD adherence (n.).2
1590s, from French adhérer "to stick, adhere" (15c., corrected from earlier aderer, 14c.) or directly from Latin adhaerare "to stick, cling to," from ad "to" (see ad-) + haerere "to stick" (see hesitation). Originally often of persons, "to cleave to a leader, cause, party, etc." (compare adherent (n.), which still often retains this sense). Related: Adhered; adhering.ETD adhere (v.).2
"sticky, cleaving or clinging," 1660s, from French adhésif, formed in French from Latin adhaes-, past-participle stem of adhaerere "stick to" (see adherent (adj.)).ETD adhesive (adj.).2
1881, from adhesive (adj.). Originally of postage stamps, short for adhesive stamp (1840). By 1900 as "a substance that causes to adhere."ETD adhesive (n.).2
1620s, "act or state of sticking or being stuck, a being united or attached," from French adhésion or directly from Latin adhaesionem (nominative adhaesio) "a sticking to," noun of action from past-participle stem of adhaerare "to stick to, cling to," from ad "to" (see ad-) + haerere "to stick" (see hesitation). The earliest English use is of persons ("faith is adhesion unto God"), but by 18c. adhesion was "generally used in the material, and adherence in the metaphysical sense." [Johnson]ETD adhesion (n.).2
Latin phrase, "to this, with respect to this, for this (specific purpose)," from ad "to" (see ad-) + hoc, neuter accusative of hic "this." Hence, "appointed or enacted for some particular purpose" (1879).ETD ad hoc.2
c. 1600, Latin, literally "to a man," from ad "to" (see ad-) + hominem, accusative of homo "man" (see homunculus). Hence, "to the interests and passions of the person." Originally an argument or appeal to the known preferences or principles of the person addressed, rather than to abstract truth or logic.ETD ad hominem.2
"without transference, impossible (to heat)," 1838, with -ic + Greek adiabatos "not to be passed" (of rivers, etc.), from a- "not" (see a- (3)) + diabatos "to be crossed or passed, fordable," from dia "through" (see dia-) + batos "passable," from bainein "to go, walk, step" (from PIE root *gwa- "to go, come"). In thermodynamics, of a change in volume without change in heat.ETD adiabatic (adj.).2
"indifferent, non-essential, morally neither right nor wrong," 1630s, from Greek adiaphoros "not different; indifferent," from a- "not" (see a- (3)) + diaphoros "different."ETD adiaphorous (adj.).2
late 14c., adewe, from Old French a Dieu, a Deu, shortened from phrases such as a dieu (vous) commant "I commend (you) to God," from a "to" (see ad-) + dieu "God," from Latin deum, accusative of deus "god" (from PIE *deiwos "god" (from root *dyeu- "to shine").ETD adieu (interj.).2
Originally it was said to the party left (farewell was to the party setting forth), but in English it came to be used as a general parting salutation. As a noun, "expression of kind wishes upon departure," late 14c. Compare the native parting salutation good-bye, a contraction of God be with ye.ETD adieu (interj.).3
"endlessly," Latin, literally "to infinity" from ad "to, unto" (see ad-) + infinitum "infinity," neuter accusative of adjective infinitus "endless" (see infinite). The English version to infinity is attested from 1630s.ETD ad infinitum.2
1837, American English, from Spanish adios, from phrase a dios vos acomiendo "I commend you to God;" the French form is adieu (q.v.).ETD adios (interj.).2
"pertaining to fat, fatty," 1743, from Modern Latin adiposus "fatty," from Latin adipem (nominative adeps, genitive adipis) "soft fat of animals, fat, lard," which is said to be from Greek aleipha "unguent, fat, anything used for smearing," a word related to lipos "grease, fat," from PIE root *leip- "to stick, adhere," also used to form words for "fat." With change of -l- to -d- "prob. due to Umbrian influence" [Klein]. But it could as well be a native Italic formation from the same roots.ETD adipose (adj.).2
1906 in reference to a type of lawn or deck chair said to have been designed in 1903 by a Thomas Lee, owner of the Westport Mountain Spring, a resort in the Adirondack region of New York State. Commercial manufacture is said to have begin the following year but it was at first called Westport chair after the town where it was made.ETD Adirondack (adj.).2
Adirondack Mountains is a back-formation from Adirondacks, which was treated as a plural noun but really it is from Mohawk (Iroquoian) adiro:daks "tree-eaters," a name they applied to neighboring Algonquian tribes. The -s is an imperfective affix.ETD Adirondack (adj.).3
"entrance," especially "horizontal mine excavation," c. 1600, from Latin aditus "an approach, an entrance; a going to or drawing near," from past participle stem of adire "to approach," from ad "to" (see ad-) + ire (past participle itus) "to go" (from PIE root *ei- "to go").ETD adit (n.).2
"state of lying close or contiguous," c. 1600, from Medieval Latin adjacentia, abstract noun from Latin adiacens "lying at," present participle of adiacere "lie at, border upon, lie near," from ad "to" (see ad-) + iacēre "to lie, rest," related to iacere "to throw; lay ('cast (oneself) down')," from PIE root *ye- "to throw, impel." Related: Adjacency, which occasionally was used in the sense of "that which is adjacent."ETD adjacence (n.).2
early 15c., "contiguous, bordering; close, nearby," from Latin adiacentem (nominative adiacens) "lying at," present participle of adiacere "lie at, border upon, lie near," from ad "to" (see ad-) + iacēre "to lie, rest," related to iacere "to throw; to lay" (from PIE root *ye- "to throw, impel"). Only of things, never of persons or animals. Adjacent, properly, is near but not necessarily in contact; adjoining is so as to touch. Latin adiacentia meant "the neighborhood."ETD adjacent (adj.).2
"word used to qualify, limit, or define a noun or noun-like part of speech," late 14c., short for noun adjective, from Old French adjectif (14c.), from Latin adjectivum "that is added to (the noun)," neuter of adjectivus "added," past participle of adicere "throw to, fling at, throw or place (a thing) near," especially "add in addition, add by way of increase," from ad "to" (see ad-) + combining form of iacere "to throw" (from PIE root *ye- "to throw, impel"). In Britain from at least 1851 the word often was a euphemism for the taboo adjective bloody.ETD adjective (n.).2
"of or like an adjective," 1797, from adjective + -al (1). Related: Adjectivally (1773).ETD adjectival (adj.).2
c. 1300, "unite (something to something else), ally" (a sense now obsolete); late 14c. as "be contiguous with, be adjacent to," from Old French ajoin- stem of ajoindre "join together, unite," from Latin adiungere "fasten on, harness, join to," from ad "to" (see ad-) + iungere "to bind together" (from a nasalized form of PIE root *yeug- "to join"). The meaning "be contiguous with, be in contact with" is from late 14c. The French word was Latinized 16c. to Modern French adjoindre. Related: Adjoined; adjoining.ETD adjoin (v.).2
mid-15c., ajournement, "act of postponing or deferring (a court, assembly, etc.)," from Old French ajornement "daybreak, dawn; summons (to appear in court)," from ajorner (see adjourn), with unetymological -d- added in English on the mistaken expectation of a Latin origin.ETD adjournment (n.).2
mid-14c., ajournen, "assign a day, fix a day" (for convening or reconvening of an organized body), from Old French ajorner (12c.) "meet" (at an appointed time), from the phrase à jorn "to another day, to a (stated) day," from à "to" (see ad-) + journ "day," from Latin diurnus "daily," from dies "day" (from PIE root *dyeu- "to shine").ETD adjourn (v.).2
The notion is of setting a date for re-meeting. The meaning "close a meeting" (with or without intention to reconvene) is from early 15c. The sense of "go in a body to another place" (1640s) is colloquial.ETD adjourn (v.).3
The English word has had the -d- since 16c., but the spelling is unetymological, as the compound apparently is not from Latin; Middle French also occasionally has adjourner, but this was rejected in Modern French. Related: Adjourned; adjourning.ETD adjourn (v.).4
"pronounce judgement upon, reward judicially," 1700, a back-formation from adjudication, or else from Latin adiudicatus, past participle of adiudicare "grant or award as a judge" (see adjudge). Related: Adjudicated; adjudicating.ETD adjudicate (v.).2
"one who adjudicates," 1804, agent noun in Latin form from adjudicate.ETD adjudicator (n.).2
1690s, "action of adjudging," from French adjudication or directly from Late Latin adiudicationem (nominative adiudicatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of adiudicare "grant or award as a judge" (see adjudge). By 1782 as "a judicial settlement."ETD adjudication (n.).2
"involving or pertaining to adjudication," 1809; see adjudicate + -ive. Perhaps modeled on French adjudicatif. Especially in law, "useful in determining the outcome of a case."ETD adjudicative (adj.).2
late 14c., ajuge, "to make a judicial decision, decide by judicial opinion," from Old French ajugier "to judge, pass judgment on" (Modern French adjuger; the -d- was restored 14c. and English followed suit by 16c.), from Latin adiudicare "grant or award as a judge," from ad "to" (see ad-) + iudicare "to judge," which is related to iudicem "a judge" (see judge (n.)). The sense of "have an opinion" is from c. 1400. Related: Adjudged; adjudging.ETD adjudge (v.).2
"united with another in office or action," 1590s, from Latin adiunctus "closely connected, joined, united," past participle of adiungere "to join to," usually with a notion of subordination, but this is not etymological (see adjoin). Adjunct professor is attested by 1826, American English.ETD adjunct (adj.).2
1580s, "something added to but not an essential part of (something else)," from Latin adiunctus "closely connected, joined, united" (as a noun, "a characteristic, essential attribute"), past participle of adiungere "join to" (see adjoin).ETD adjunct (n.).2
late 14c., adjuren, "to bind by oath; to question under oath;" c. 1400 as "to charge with an oath or under penalty of a curse," from Latin adiurare "confirm by oath, add an oath, to swear to in addition; call to witness," in Late Latin "to put (someone) to an oath," from ad "to" (see ad-) + iurare "swear," from ius (genitive iuris) "law" (see jurist). Related: Adjured; adjuring.ETD adjure (v.).2
late 14c., "exorcism," from Late Latin adiurationem (nominative adiuratio) "a swearing to," noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin adiurare "to put (someone) to an oath," from ad "to" (see ad-) + iurare "swear," from ius (genitive iuris) "law," from PIE root *yewes- "law" (see jurist). Originally a term in exorcism (with conjuration); the general sense of "a solemn oath, a charging under the penalty of a curse" is from 17c.ETD adjuration (n.).2
"capable of being adjusted," 1775, from adjust + -able. Related: Adjustably; adjustability.ETD adjustable (adj.).2
late 14c., ajusten, "to correct, remedy," from Old French ajuster, ajoster "add; assemble; calibrate, gauge, regulate," from Late Latin adiuxtare "to bring near," from ad "to" (see ad-) + Latin iuxta "next, close by" (from suffixed form of PIE root *yeug- "to join").ETD adjust (v.).2
In 16c. French corrected to adjuster, but the pedantic effort was rejected and Modern French has ajouter. Influenced in form and sense by folk-etymology, as if from ad- + iustus "just, equitable, fair."ETD adjust (v.).3
English reborrowed the word by c. 1600 in sense "arrange, settle, compose," from French adjuster "fit (things together) properly, put things in order." The meaning "arrange (something) so as to conform with (a standard or another thing)" is from 1660s. The insurance sense is from 1755 (see adjuster). To adjust to "get used to" is attested by 1924. Related: Adjusted; adjusting.ETD adjust (v.).4
1670s, agent noun in English form from adjust. The insurance sense of "one who settles the amount to be paid for a claim under a policy, after making proper allowances and deductions," is from 1830.ETD adjuster (n.).2
"a making fit or conformable; the act of adapting to a given purpose; orderly regulation or arrangement," 1640s, from French ajustement (Old French ajostement) or else a native formation from adjust (v.) + -ment.ETD adjustment (n.).2
1857, of certain muscles that "adjust," or make fit together; agent noun in Latin form from adjust (v.).ETD adjustor (n.).2
"military officer who assists superior officers," c. 1600, from Latin adiutantem (nominative adiutans), present participle of adiutare "to give help to, help zealously, serve," frequentative of adiuvare (past participle adiutus) "help, assist, aid, support," from ad "to" (see ad-) + iuvare "to help, give strength, support," which is perhaps from the same root as iuvenis "young man" (see young (adj.)).ETD adjutant (n.).2
French adjudant, earlier ajudant (early 18c.) is from Spanish cognate ayudante. Related: Adjutancy. The adjutant bird is the name given by the English in Bengal to a large type of Indian stork, so called for its "stiff martinet air" [Century Dictionary].ETD adjutant (n.).3
also ad lib., 1811 as a musical instruction, shortened from Latin ad libitum "to (one's) pleasure, as much as one likes" (c. 1600), from ad "to" (see ad-) + libitum "pleasure," accusative of libere "to please" (see libido). As a noun from 1825; as a verb by 1915.ETD ad lib.2
late 14c., aministren, later administren, "to manage as a steward, control or regulate on behalf of others," from Old French aministrer "help, aid, be of service to" (12c., Modern French administrer), and directly from Latin administrare "to help, assist; manage, control, guide, superintend; rule, direct," from ad "to" (see ad-) + ministrare "to serve, attend, wait upon," from minister "inferior, servant, priest's assistant" (see minister (n.)).ETD administer (v.).2
The -d- was restored 14c.-16c. in French and after 15c. in English. In reference to punishment, justice, etc., "to dispense, bring into operation" (especially as an officer), from mid-15c. In reference to medicines, medical treatment, etc., "to give," from 1540s. Related: Administered; administering.ETD administer (v.).3
"one who has been given authority to manage," mid-15c., administratour, from Old French administrateur or directly from Latin administrator "a manager, conductor," agent noun from past-participle stem of administrare "to manage, control, superintend" (see administer). The estate sense is earliest. For ending, see -er.ETD administrator (n.).2
"manage or direct affairs," 1630s, from Latin administratus, past participle of administrare "manage, control, superintend" (see administer) or else a back-formation from administrator, administration. Related: Administrated; administrating.ETD administrate (v.).2
"pertaining to administration, having to do with the managing of public affairs," 1731, from Latin administrativus, from administrat-, past-participle stem of administrare "to manage, control, superintend" (see administer). Related: Administratively.ETD administrative (adj.).2
mid-14c., administracioun, "act of giving or dispensing;" late 14c., "management (of a business, property, etc.), act of administering," from Latin administrationem (nominative administratio) "aid, help, cooperation; direction, management," noun of action from past-participle stem of administrare "to help, assist; manage, control, guide, superintend; rule, direct," from ad "to" (see ad-) + ministrare "to serve, attend, wait upon," from minister "inferior, servant, priest's assistant" (see minister (n.)).ETD administration (n.).2
It is attested by early 15c. as "management of a deceased person's estate under a commission from authority." The sense of "management of public affairs" is from 1680s; hence, "executive power in a government" (1731), though in Britain later government was used in this sense. The meaning "a U.S. president's period in office" is recorded by 1796 in the writings of George Washington.ETD administration (n.).3
c. 1200, amiral, admirail, "Saracen commander or chieftain," from Old French amirail (12c.) "Saracen military commander; any military commander," ultimately from medieval Arabic amir "military commander," probably via Medieval Latin use of the word for "Muslim military leader."ETD admiral (n.).2
Amiral de la mer "commander of a fleet of ships" is in late 13c. Anglo-French documents. Meaning "highest-ranking naval officer" in English is from early 15c. The extension of the word's meaning from "commander on land" to "commander at sea" likely began in 12c. Sicily with Medieval Latin amiratus and then spread to the continent, but the word also continued to mean "Muslim military commander" in Europe in the Middle Ages. The Arabic word was later Englished as emir.ETD admiral (n.).3
Also in Old French and Middle English the word was further conformed to familiar patterns as amirauld, amiraunt. The unetymological -d- probably is from influence of Latin ad-mirabilis (see admire). Italian form almiraglio, Spanish almirante are from confusion with Arabic words in al-. As the name of a type of butterfly from 1720, according to OED possibly a corruption of admirable.ETD admiral (n.).4
"one who admires," c. 1600, agent noun from admire (v.). From 1704 in the colloquial sense of "one who pays court to (a woman), a lover." The Latin agent noun was admirator.ETD admirer (n.).2
early 15c. (implied in admired), "regard with wonder, marvel at," from Old French admirer "look upon, contemplate" (correcting earlier amirer, 14c.), or directly from Latin admirari "regard with wonder, be astonished," from ad "to, with regard to" (see ad-) + mirari "to wonder," from mirus "wonderful" (see smile (v.)). The sense has gradually weakened toward "regard with pleasure and esteem," but for a time they overlapped.ETD admire (v.).2
Related: Admiring; admiringly.ETD admire (v.).3
"in a manner to excite approbation and esteem," 1590s, from admirable + -ly (2).ETD admirably (adv.).2
early 15c., "wonder," from Old French admiration "astonishment, surprise" (14c., corrected from earlier amiracion), or directly from Latin admirationem (nominative admiratio) "a wondering at, admiration," noun of state from past-participle stem of admirari "regard with wonder, be astonished," from ad "to; with regard to" (see ad-) + mirari "to wonder," from mirus "wonderful" (see miracle). The sense has gradually weakened since 16c. toward "high regard, esteem."ETD admiration (n.).2
mid-15c., "worthy of admiration," from Latin admirabilis "admirable, wonderful," from admirari "to admire" (see admire). In early years it also carried a stronger sense of "awe-inspiring, marvelous."ETD admirable (adj.).2
"office or position of an admiral," 1610s, from admiral + -ship.ETD admiralship (n.).2
"naval branch of the English executive," early 15c., admiralte, from Old French amiralte, from amirail (see admiral).ETD admiralty (n.).2
early 15c., "acceptance, reception, approval," from Latin admissionem (nominative admissio) "a letting in," noun of action from past-participle stem of admittere "admit, give entrance; grant an audience," of acts, "let be done, allow, permit," from ad "to" (see ad-) + mittere "let go, send" (see mission).ETD admission (n.).2
The meaning "an acknowledging" is from 1530s. The literal sense of "act of allowing to enter, admittance," is from 1620s. As short for admission price, by 1792.ETD admission (n.).3
"quality of being admissible," 1763, from admissible + -ity. Perhaps modeled on French admissibilité (by 1670s).ETD admissibility (n.).2
1610s, "allowable," from French admissible, from past-participle stem of Latin admittere "allow to enter, admit, give entrance," from ad "to" (see ad-) + mittere "let go, send" (see mission). The meaning "capable of being allowed entrance" is from 1775; the specific sense of "capable of being used in a legal decision or judicial investigation" is by 1849.ETD admissible (adj.).2
late 14c., admitten, "let in," from Latin admittere "admit, give entrance, allow to enter; grant an audience," of acts, "let be done, allow, permit," from ad "to" (see ad-) + mittere "let go, send" (see mission).ETD admit (v.).2
The sense of "concede in argument as valid or true" is recorded by early 15c. In Middle English the word sometimes also was amit, after Old French amettre, which was refashioned 15c. Related: Admitted; Admitting.ETD admit (v.).3
1550s, "received," past-participle adjective from admit (v.). As "received as true or valid" from 1780 (implied in admittedly).ETD admitted (adj.).2
1580s, "the action of admitting," formed in English from admit + -ance (if from Latin, it would have been *admittence; French uses accès in this sense). Used formerly in figurative senses where admission now prevails. Admissure was used in this sense from mid-15c.ETD admittance (n.).2
"mingle" (something, with something else), 1530s, a back-formed verb; see admixture. Related: Admixing.ETD admix (v.).2
c. 1600, "act of mingling," with -ure + admix (1530s), a back-formed verb from admixt "mingled" (early 15c.), a past-participle adjective from Latin admixtus "mixed with," past participle of admiscere "to add to by mingling, mix with," from ad "to" (see ad-) + miscere "to mix" (from PIE root *meik- "to mix"). In Middle English admixt was mistaken as the past participle of a (then) non-existent *admix. The earlier noun was admixtion (late 14c., from Latin admixionem).ETD admixture (n.).2
mid-14c., amonesten "remind, urge, exhort, warn, give warning," from Old French amonester "urge, encourage, warn" (12c.), from Vulgar Latin *admonestare, from Latin admonere "bring to mind, remind (of a debt);" also "warn, advise, urge," from ad "to," here probably with frequentative force (see ad-) + monere "to admonish, warn, advise," from PIE *moneie- "to make think of, remind," suffixed (causative) form of root *men- (1) "to think."ETD admonish (v.).2
The -d- was restored, on the Latin model, in English as in French (Modern French admonester). The ending was influenced by words in -ish (such as astonish, abolish). Related: Admonished; admonishing. Latin also had commonere "to remind," promonere "to warn openly," submonere "to advise privately" (source of summon).ETD admonish (v.).3
late 14c., amonicioun "reminding, instruction," from Old French amonicion "admonition, exhortation," from Latin admonitionem (nominative admonitio) "a suggestion, a reminding; an admonition," noun of action from past-participle stem of admonere "to advise, warn" (see admonish).ETD admonition (n.).2
The -d- was restored in French, then (17c.) in English. The meaning "caution or warning about future conduct based on past failures" is by early 15c.ETD admonition (n.).3
"containing an admonition," 1590s, from Late Latin admonitorius, from Latin admonit-, past-participle stem of admonere "to advise; to warn" (see admonish). Related: Admonitorily; admonitorial.ETD admonitory (adj.).2
"to a sickening extent," Latin, literally "to sickness," from ad "to" (see ad-) + nauseam, accusative of nausea (see nausea). Especially of the disgust aroused by wearisome repetition.ETD ad nauseam (adv.).2
in commando, desperado, tornado, and other words of Spanish and Portuguese origin, "person or group participating in an action," ultimately from Latin -atus, past-participle suffix of verbs of the first conjugation (see -ade). Compare sprusado "a dandy" (1660s), from spruce (adj.).ETD -ado.2
late 14c., "conflict, fighting; difficulty, trouble," a contraction of at do, literally "to do," a dialectal formation in the Norse-influenced areas of northern England: some Scandinavian languages used at with the infinitive of a verb where Modern English uses to.ETD ado (n.).2
From use of the infinitive in much ado ("much to do") and similar phrases, ado came to be regarded as a noun. Compare the sense evolution in to-do and affair (from French infinitive phrase à faire "to do"). The weakened meaning "fuss" is from early 15c. Also used in Middle English for "dealings, traffic," and "sexual intercourse" (both c. 1400).ETD ado (n.).3
"mudbrick," 1739, American English, from Spanish adobe "unburnt brick dried in the sun," which is said by 19c. Dutch Arabist Reinhart Dozy to be from oral form of Arabic al-tob "the brick," from Coptic tube "brick," a word found in hieroglyphics. Other sources point to a Spanish adobar "daub, plaster," from the source of English daub (v.).ETD adobe (n.).2
1785, "growing toward maturity," from Latin adolescentem/adulescentem (nominative adolescens/adulescens) "growing, near maturity, youthful," present participle of adolescere "grow up, come to maturity, ripen" (see adolescent (n.)).ETD adolescent (adj.).2
mid-15c., "youth, young person, one who is growing up," from French adolescent (15c.) or directly from Latin adolescentem/adulescentem (nominative adolescens/adulescens) "young man or woman, a youth," noun use of an adjective meaning "growing, near maturity, youthful." The adjective is the present participle of adolescere "grow up, come to maturity, ripen," from ad "to" (see ad-) + alescere "be nourished," hence, "increase, grow up" (inchoative of alere "to nourish," from a suffixed form of PIE root *al- (2) "to grow, nourish").ETD adolescent (n.).2
Adolesce was a back-formed verb used early 20c. (OED quotes H.G. Wells, G.B. Shaw, Louis MacNeice), but it seems not to have grown.ETD adolescent (n.).3
"the age following childhood, the age of growing" (roughly the period from the 15th to the 21st year; or age 14 to 25 in males, 12 to 21 in females), early 15c., from Old French adolescence (13c.), from Latin adolescentia/adulescentia "youth, youthful people collectively," abstract noun from adulescentem "growing, youthful" (see adolescent (n.)). Adolescency (late 14c.) is slightly earlier.ETD adolescence (n.).2
also Adolf, masc. proper name, German, from Old High German Athalwolf, etymologically "noble wolf," from athal "noble" (see atheling) + wolf (see wolf (n.)). The -ph is from the Latinized form of the name, Adolphus.ETD Adolph.2
Old Testament word for "God," used as a substitute for the ineffable name, late 14c., from Medieval Latin, from Hebrew, literally "my lord," from adon (see Adonis) + suffix of the first person.ETD Adonai.2
"beautiful young man," 1620s, probably via French Adonis (15c.), from Greek Adōnis, name of the youth beloved by Aphrodite, from Phoenician adon "lord," probably originally "ruler," from base a-d-n "to judge, rule." Adonai is the Hebrew cognate.ETD Adonis (n.).2
"one who adopts" in any sense, 1570s, agent noun from adopt (v.).ETD adopter (n.).2
"take to one's self, make one's own by selection," c. 1500, a back-formation from adoption or else from Old French adopter (14c.) or directly from Latin adoptare "chose for oneself, take by choice, select, adopt," especially "to take into a family, adopt as a child," from ad "to" (see ad-) + optare "choose, wish, desire" (see option (n.)).ETD adopt (v.).2
Originally in English of friends, fathers, citizens, etc., as well as children. The specific sense of "to legally take as one's own child" and that of "to embrace, espouse" a practice, method, etc. are from c. 1600. Related: Adopted; adopting.ETD adopt (v.).3
mid-14c., adopcioun, "action of taking (a child) as one's own; condition of being adopted," from Old French adopcion or directly from Late Latin adoptionem (nominative adoptio) "a taking as one's child," shorter form of adoptatio, noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin adoptare "chose for oneself, take by choice, select, adopt," especially "to take into a family, adopt as a child," from ad "to" (see ad-) + optare "choose, wish, desire" (from PIE root *op- (2) "to choose;" see option (n.)).ETD adoption (n.).2
early 15c., adpotif, "by adoption," from Old French adoptif and directly from Latin adoptivus "pertaining to adoption," from stem of adoptere "to choose, adopt" (see adopt).ETD adoptive (adj.).2
"one who is adopted," 1849; see adopt (v.) + -ee.ETD adoptee (n.).2
late 14c., aouren, "to worship, pay divine honors to, bow down before," from Old French aorer "to adore, worship, praise" (10c., later adorer), from Latin adorare "speak to formally, beseech, entreat, ask in prayer," in Late Latin "to worship," literally "to call to," from ad "to" (see ad-) + ōrare "speak formally, pray" (see orator).ETD adore (v.).2
The meaning "to honor very highly" is attested from 1590s; the weakened sense of "to be very fond of" emerged by 1880s. Related: Adored; adoring.ETD adore (v.).3
1650s, "worshipping," present-participle adjective from adore. Related: Adoringly.ETD adoring (adj.).2
1610s, "worthy of worship," from French adorable, from Latin adorabilis "worthy of worship," from adorare "to worship" (see adore). The weakened sense of "delightful, charming" is recorded from 1710. Related: Adorably; adorableness.ETD adorable (adj.).2
1540s, "act of paying divine honors," from French adoration, from Late Latin adorationem (nominative adoratio) "worship, adoration," noun of action from past-participle stem of adorare "to worship." See adore, the original sense of which is preserved in this word.ETD adoration (n.).2
late 14c., adornement, "act of adorning;" also "a thing which adorns;" from Old French aornement "ornament, decoration," from aorner (see adorn).ETD adornment (n.).2
late 14c., aournen, later adornen, "to decorate, embellish," also "be an ornament to," from Old French aorner "to order, arrange, dispose, equip; adorn," from Latin adornare "equip, provide, furnish;" also "decorate, embellish," from ad "to" (see ad-) + ornare "prepare, furnish, adorn, fit out," from stem of ordo "row, rank, series, arrangement" (see order (n.)). The -d- was reinserted by French scribes 14c. and spread to English from late 15c. Related: Adorned; adorning.ETD adorn (v.).2
"to a lower place," Old English adune (adv.), originally a prepositional phrase, of dune "down, downward;" see a- (1) + down (adv.).ETD adown (adv.).2
"nemesis," the distributor of rewards and punishments, a daughter of Zeus, from Greek Adrasteia, literally "she from whom there is no escape," from adrastos "not running away," from a- "not, without" (see a- (3)) + stem of drasmos "a running away," related to dromos "course" (see dromedary).ETD Adrastea.2
"of or near the kidneys," 1866, Modern Latin, from ad- "to, near" + renalis "of the kidneys," from Latin renes "kidneys" (see renal). Adrenal gland is from 1875.ETD adrenal (adj.).2
also Adrenalin (trademark name), coined 1901 by Japanese chemist Jokichi Takamine (1853-1922), who discovered it, from Modern Latin adrenal (see adrenal) + chemical suffix -ine (2). Adrenaline rush was in use c. 1970.ETD adrenaline (n.).2
masc. proper name, from Latin Adrianus, properly Hadrianus, literally "of the Adriatic" (see Adriatic). A name taken by several popes, including the only English pontiff, Nicholas Brakespear (died 1159). The proper name Adrienne, etc., when not a fem. form of this, is a transposition of Ariadne: Adriane is the usual form of Ariadne in Chaucer ("House of Fame," etc.).ETD Adrian.2
sea east of Italy, from Latin Adriaticus, properly Hadriaticus, from town of Atria/Hatria (modern Adria) in Picenum, near Venice, once a seaport but now more than 12 miles inland. The name is perhaps from atra, neuter of atrum "black," hence "the black city;" or else it represents Illyrian adur "water, sea."ETD Adriatic.2
"floating at random, at the mercy of currents," 1620s, from a- (1) "on" + drift (n.). Figurative use by 1680s.ETD adrift (adv.).2
1650s, "dexterous," originally "rightly," from French adroit, which by Old French had senses "upright (physically and morally); able, clever, skillful; well-formed, handsome; on the right-hand side; veritable," from adverbial phrase à droit "according to right."ETD adroit (adj.).2
This is from Old French à "to" (see ad-) + droit, dreit "right," from Medieval Latin directum (contracted drictum) "right, justice, law," neuter or accusative of Latin directus "straight," past participle of dirigere "set straight," from dis- "apart" (see dis-) + regere "to direct, to guide, keep straight" (from PIE root *reg- "move in a straight line," with derivatives meaning "to direct in a straight line," thus "to lead, rule"). It expresses prominently the idea of a trained hand. Related: Adroitly; adroitness.ETD adroit (adj.).3
1882, transitive (intransitive use attested from 1919), back-formation from adsorption "condensation of gases on the surfaces of solids" (1882), coined in German from ad- + -sorption, abstracted from absorption and representing Latin sorbere "to suck" (see absorb). Related: Adsorbent; adsorption.ETD adsorb (v.).2
"flatter slavishly," 1777, a back-formation from adulation. Related: Adulated; adulating.ETD adulate (v.).2
"servile or insincere praise," late 14c., from Old French adulacion, from Latin adulationem (nominative adulatio) "a fawning; flattery, cringing courtesy," noun of action from past-participle stem of adulari "to flatter, fawn upon."ETD adulation (n.).2
This is usually said to be from ad "to" (see ad-) + a stem meaning "tail," from a PIE *ul- "the tail" (source also of Sanskrit valah "tail-hair," and Lithuanian valai "horse's tail"). The original notion would be "to wag the tail" like a fawning dog (compare Greek sainein "to wag the tail," also "to flatter;" also see wheedle).ETD adulation (n.).3
But de Vaan finds phonetic problems with these and concludes the etymology is uncertain, though he proposes a connection with avidus "eager," via *adulo- "who is eager toward something," hence "a flatterer." Adulation may proceed from true blind worship or be insincere, from hope of advantage.ETD adulation (n.).4
"adult person," 1650s, from adult (adj.).ETD adult (n.).2
1530s (but not common until mid-17c.) "grown, mature," from Latin adultus "grown up, mature, adult, ripe," past participle of adolescere "grow up, come to maturity, ripen," from ad "to" (see ad-) + alescere "be nourished," hence, "increase, grow up," inchoative of alere "to nourish," from a suffixed form of PIE root *al- (2) "to grow, nourish."ETD adult (adj.).2
The meaning "mature in attitude or outlook" is from 1929. As a euphemism for "pornographic," it dates to 1958 and does no honor to the word. In the old British film-rating system, A indicated "suitable for exhibit to adult audiences," and thus, implicitly, unsuitable for children (1914).ETD adult (adj.).3
c. 1500, "act of adulterating; state of being debased by mixture with something else," generally of inferior quality, from Latin adulterationem (nominative adulteratio) "an adulteration, sophistication," noun of action from past-participle stem of adulterare "corrupt, falsify; debauch; commit adultery," from ad "to" (see ad-) + alterare "to alter" (see alter), though Watkins explains it as ad alterum "(approaching) another (unlawfully)." Meaning "a result of adulterating" is from 1650s.ETD adulteration (n.).2