sail

Discussion in 'Linguistics' started by mathman, Aug 2, 2021.

  1. mathman Valued Senior Member

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    2,002
    The word sail is used in two related contexts. As as noun it refers to a sheet of cloth used to propel a ship. As a verb it means travel by ship. Which came first?
     
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  3. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    Those are both the same context, though one is a noun and the other is a verb.

    A brief Google reveals a dozen articles defining the etymology of the word. Which one do you like?
     
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  5. sculptor Valued Senior Member

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    justaguess
    We seem more likely to make verbs out of nouns rather than make nouns out of verbs.
    ergo
    It seems most ;likely that the noun sail preceded the verb sail.

    now
    let us visit assail
    related to sail?
     
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  7. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    I think the noun in that word also came first.....

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  8. sideshowbob Sorry, wrong number. Valued Senior Member

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    The egg.
     
  9. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    20,069
    The cosmic egg.
     
  10. mathman Valued Senior Member

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    It looks like the noun came first, both from Old English.
     
  11. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    I concur.
     

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