connectionn.
/kəˈnɛkʃən/ 1.
a. The action of connecting or joining together; the condition of being connected or joined together.[Not in Shakespeare, nor in Bible of 1611; not in Florio 1611 (who has ‘Connessione, a connexing or ioyning’): in Cotgrave 1611 (‘Connexion, a connexion, ioyning’).]
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > fact or action of being connected or connecting > [noun]
colligation1502
colligance?1541
connexity1603
concretion1605
connection1609
connexure1615
band1631
connectedness1844
1609 Bible (Douay) I. Exod. xxvi. 3 The other five [curtains] shal hang together with the connexion.
1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια 255 Making a sumphysis or connexion between the mother and the Infant.
1747 B. Franklin Plain Truth (new ed.) 20 Separate Filaments..without Strength because without connection.
1793 M. Baillie Morbid Anat. xiii. 178 Their close connection with the peritonæum.
1866 A. Murray Geogr. Distrib. Mammals 64 The probability of the connexion of Papua and Australia..being thus established.
b. of immaterial union or joining together.
ΚΠ
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxii. 122 A league being a connexion of men by Covenants.
1787 A. Young in Glasgow Weekly Herald (1883) 7 July 2/7 A correspondence might be carried on..between two lovers prohibited or prevented from any better connection.
1855 A. Bain Senses & Intellect Introd. ii. 30 A complete and perfectly independent connexion [by telegraph] could be kept up between any two stations along the line.
1864 J. Bryce Holy Rom. Empire iii. 26 The connection of Church and State.
c. The linking up of electric current by contact; an apparatus or device for effecting this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > transmission of electricity, conduction > connection, contact > [noun]
connection1832
bonding1910
to make contact1915
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > transmission of electricity, conduction > connection, contact > [noun] > connection between conductors
connecter1795
connection1832
bond1903
to make contact1915
spade terminal1968
1832 Nat. Philos. (Libr. Useful Knowl.) II. Electro-magnetism 46 When a connexion is made with the battery..so as to direct an electric current through the wire.
1885 H. W. Watson & S. H. Burbury Math. Theory Electr. & Magn. I. 220 The potentials at every point..are the same as if there were no metallic connexion between P and Q.
1898 Westm. Gaz. 9 June 5/1 The bombardment destroyed the French cable connexion house.
1907 Installation News Sept. 12/2 Heavy brass connection terminals.
1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 191/1 Connexion-(or connecting-) box, a box containing terminals to which are brought a number of conductors of a wiring or distribution system, in order to facilitate the making of connexions between them.
2.
Thesaurus »
a. The linking together of words or ideas in speech or thought.
b. Consecutiveness, continuity or coherence of ideas.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > idea, notion, or concept > [noun] > system of > connection
connection1651
association1700
combination1700
connectedness1886
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > process of reasoning, ratiocination > argument, source of conviction > [noun] > logical sequence
consecution1532
consequency1548
form1551
consequence1571
connection1651
consequentiality1885
connectedness1886
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > clarity > [noun] > coherence
context1604
coherencea1623
connection1651
coherency1837
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan i. iv Speech, consisting of names and appellations, and their connexion.
1680 Earl of Roscommon tr. Horace Art of Poetry 17 So much good Method and Connexion may Improve the common and the plainest things.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison II. xxix. 271 Matrimony and Liberty—Girlish connexion as I have since thought.
1766 C. Anstey New Bath Guide ii. iii. 17 And I hope, as I write without any Connection, I shall make a great Figure in Dodsley's Collection.
c. Contextual relation of thought, speech, or writing; context.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > meaning of linguistic unit > [noun] > context
circumstance1549
context1577
coherence1583
coherent1607
contexture1608
connection1724
environment1874
1724 A. Collins Disc. Grounds Christian Relig. 71 The Jewish Doctors are used to detach passages from their connection.
1790 R. Porson Lett. to Travis 310 Martin took the sentence out of its connection.
1827 C. Bridges Expos. Psalm cxix. (1830) 3 It is interesting to notice the connexion in which the word is used.
1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues I. 3 The word has been rendered in different places either Temperance or Wisdom, as the connexion seemed to require.
d. Hence, in this (the same, another, etc.) connection.
ΚΠ
1780 M. Madan Thelyphthora I. 48 This word, in certain connexions, denotes, etc.
1807 W. Hazlitt Polit. Ess. (1819) 413 The same argument..stated in the same connexion.
1837 H. Martineau Society in Amer. (1839) I. 277 One fact, in this connection, is, etc.
1840 J. H. Newman Church of Fathers xxi. 412 Sulpicius..happens to mention [it] in another connexion.
1844 S. Wilberforce Hist. Protestant Episc. Church Amer. (1846) 13 In this connexion, it is full of interest to trace back.
1860 B. Jowett in Ess. & Rev. 371 In different connexions.
1875 M. Arnold God & Bible (1884) 173 Certain fundamental themes..appearing repeatedly and in several connexions.
1875 M. Arnold God & Bible (1884) 174 These three sayings..come in different connexions. [See F. Hall in The Nation (N.Y.) 5 Jan. 1888, p. 12.]
3. The condition of being related to something else by a bond of interdependence, causality, logical sequence, coherence, or the like; relation between things one of which is bound up with, or involved in, another.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > correlation > [noun]
analogy1533
communiona1538
correlation1561
correspondency1607
connection1613
correlativeness1727
co-relation1836
interrelation1848
interradiation1855
interconnection1856
interrelatedness1865
interrelationship1867
assonance1868
correlativity1877
complementariness1881
interlinkage1904
complementarity1911
interconnectedness1922
1613 J. Salkeld Treat. Angels 98 Unsignificant wordes, which have no connexion or proportion with the effect..produced.
1651 T. Hobbes Philos. Rudim. To Rdr. sig. A12v Derived from true Principles by evident connexion.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. xxx. 173 This Property has no necessary connexion with that complex Idea.
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. i. i. 15 The Reason of the thing shews us no Connection between Death, and the Destruction of living Agents.
1785 W. Cowper Task vi. 89 Knowledge and Wisdom, far from being one, Have ofttimes no connexion.
1833 N. Arnott Elements Physics (ed. 5) II. i. 129 The connexion of temperature with the rise of fevers and other pestilences.
1865 E. B. Tylor Res. Early Hist. Mankind ii. 16 We have quite lost sight of the connection between the word and the idea.
1872 E. W. Robertson Hist. Ess. 256 There was a close connexion during the early feudal period between rank and wealth.
4.
a. Anything that connects; a connecting part.
ΚΠ
1742 E. Young Complaint: Night the First 6 [Man]..Connection exquisite of distant Worlds! Distinguisht Link in Being's endless Chain!
1751 T. Smollett Peregrine Pickle II. lxxv. 291 The robust connection of his limbs.
1882 Worcs. Exhib. Catal. iii. 5 Hot water connections.
b. A connecting passage, word, or particle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > fact or action of being connected or connecting > [noun] > connecting > one who or that which > that which
banda1300
binder1642
connection1712
go-between1811
cord1879
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 416. ¶2 Because it is impossible to draw the little Connexions of Speech, or to give the Picture of a Conjunction or an Adverb.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison III. xxii. 200 I will only at present transcribe for you, with some short connexions, two Letters.
5.
a. A personal relation of intercourse, intimacy, common interest, or action; a having to do with. Often with plural.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > [noun] > between persons, communities, etc.
relationc1485
correspondency1588
intelligence1597
correspondence1599
necessitude1612
correlation1649
connection1768
belongingness1854
association1882
intercommunalism1971
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey I. 88 [He] made the whole tour..without one generous connection or pleasurable anecdote to tell of.
1773 O. Goldsmith She stoops to Conquer i. 16 Well, if he supplies us with these, we shall want no further connexion.
1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 634 These [we] form connexions, but acquire no friend.
a1831 A. Knox Remains (1844) I. 96 Far from advising any man to break connexions once fairly formed.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People v. §1. 213 We find Chaucer in close connexion with the Court.
1886 J. Morley Comte in Crit. Misc. III. 341 To write of Saint Simon as a depraved Quack, and to deplore his connection with him.
b. Sexual relation or intercourse; a liaison.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > [noun] > sexual intercourse
ymonec950
moneOE
meanc1175
manredc1275
swivinga1300
couplec1320
companyc1330
fellowred1340
the service of Venusc1350
miskissinga1387
fellowshipc1390
meddlinga1398
carnal knowinga1400
flesha1400
knowledgea1400
knowledginga1400
japec1400
commoning?c1425
commixtionc1429
itc1440
communicationc1450
couplingc1475
mellingc1480
carnality1483
copulation1483
mixturea1500
Venus act?1507
Venus exercise?1507
Venus play?1507
Venus work?1507
conversation?c1510
flesh-company1522
act?1532
carnal knowledge1532
occupying?1544
congression1546
soil1555
conjunction1567
fucking1568
rem in re1568
commixture1573
coiture1574
shaking of the sheets?1577
cohabitation1579
bedding1589
congress1589
union1598
embrace1599
making-outa1601
rutting1600
noddy1602
poop-noddy1606
conversinga1610
carnal confederacy1610
wapping1610
businessa1612
coition1615
doinga1616
amation1623
commerce1624
hot cocklesa1627
other thing1628
buck1632
act of love1638
commistion1658
subagitation1658
cuntc1664
coit1671
intimacy1676
the last favour1676
quiffing1686
old hat1697
correspondence1698
frigging1708
Moll Peatley1711
coitus1713
sexual intercourse1753
shagging1772
connection1791
intercourse1803
interunion1822
greens1846
tail1846
copula1864
poking1864
fuckeea1866
sex relation1871
wantonizing1884
belly-flopping1893
twatting1893
jelly roll1895
mattress-jig1896
sex1900
screwing1904
jazz1918
zig-zig1918
other1922
booty1926
pigmeat1926
jazzing1927
poontang1927
relations1927
whoopee1928
nookie1930
hump1931
jig-a-jig1932
homework1933
quickie1933
nasty1934
jig-jig1935
crumpet1936
pussy1937
Sir Berkeley1937
pom-pom1945
poon1947
charvering1954
mollocking1959
leg1967
rumpy-pumpy1968
shafting1971
home plate1972
pata-pata1977
bonking1985
legover1985
knobbing1986
rumpo1986
fanny1993
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > [noun] > illicit intimacy
lemanry1483
intrigo1648
blanket-lovea1657
intrigue1668
affair1700
connection1791
liaison1816
entanglement1863
mpango wa kando2009
1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1744 I. 92 The Earl Rivers, on account of a criminal connexion with whom, Lady Macclesfield is said to have been divorced from her husband.
1804 J. Abernethy Surg. Observ. 168 He had had no connexion with any other woman.
1810 J. Abernethy Dis. resembling Syphilis 6. A gentleman was connected with a female,..and derived from such connexion several..sores.
c. Practical relation with a thing or affair.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > [noun] > contact, connection, or dealings
dealinga1538
deal1588
business1611
to come in contact with1818
connection1860
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. i. 7 Such are the circumstances..under which my connexion with glaciers originated.
1888 N. Brit. Daily Mail 24 Aug. 4/8 The failure of the [Fisheries] treaty was chiefly attributable to Mr. Chamberlain's connection with it.
6.
a. Relationship by family ties, as marriage or distant consanguinity. Often with a and plural.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > [noun]
sibOE
kindredOE
sibredlOE
sibnessa1250
sib-lawc1275
kindheadc1325
cousinagec1350
kinheada1375
affinitya1382
kindnessc1390
parentelec1390
parentelac1415
parentage1548
relation1561
cousinship1570
connatenessa1652
relationship1724
kindredship1733
connection1773
familyhood1808
kindredness1826
kinsmanship1842
1773 O. Goldsmith She stoops to Conquer v. 104 The girl could not have made a more prudent choice. Hard. Then..I'm proud of the connexion.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas I. i. xvii. 164 He is a youth of good connections.
1811 M. R. Mitford Let. 11 Aug. in A. G. L'Estrange Life M. R. Mitford (1870) I. v. 147 Mr. Turner is certainly a man of high connections.
1848 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. 246 He was, by hereditary connection, a Cavalier.
b. A person who is connected with others by ties of any kind; esp. a relative by marriage or distant consanguinity. (Originally only in plural.)
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > [noun] > relative by marriage
affinea1509
connection1780
affinal1883
society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > a companion or associate > [noun]
yferec870
brothereOE
ymonec950
headlingOE
ferec975
fellowOE
friendOE
eveningOE
evenlinglOE
even-nexta1225
compeerc1275
monec1300
companiona1325
partnerc1330
peerc1330
neighbour?c1335
falec1380
matec1380
makec1385
companya1425
sociatec1430
marrow1440
partyc1443
customera1450
conferec1450
pareil?c1450
comparcionerc1475
resortc1475
socius1480
copartner?1504
billy?a1513
accomplice1550
panion1553
consorterc1556
compartner1564
co-mate1576
copemate1577
competitor1579
consociate1579
coach-companion1589
comrade1591
consort1592
callant1597
comrado1598
associate1601
coach-fellow1602
rival1604
social1604
concomitanta1639
concerner1639
consociator1646
compane1647
societary1652
bor1677
socius1678
interessora1687
companioness1691
rendezvouser1742
connection1780
frater1786
matey1794
pardner1795
left bower1829
running mate1867
stable companion1868
pard1872
buddy1895
maat1900
bro1922
stable-mate1941
bredda1969
Ndugu1973
1780 R. B. Sheridan School for Scandal iii. iii. 39 But pray, Sir, are you acquainted with any of my connections?
1805 J. Foster Ess. (1819) ii. 127 A decisive man..may be encountered by the strongest disapprobation of many of his connexions.
1822 Ld. Byron Werner i. i. 689 The baron is my intimate connection.
1869 F. Parkman Discov. Great West i. 1 Some of their connections held high diplomatic posts.
c. A supplier of narcotics; the action of supplying narcotics. slang (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > selling > selling or sale of specific things > [noun] > narcotics
drug peddling1861
drug traffic1868
dope-trafficking1933
connection1934
dope-running1941
dope-smuggling1941
dope-peddling1959
drug-pushing1959
pushing1962
push1973
society > trade and finance > selling > seller > sellers of specific things > [noun] > seller of illicit drugs
drug dealer1800
drug peddler1889
swing man1903
drug pusher1904
drug trafficker1912
dope-merchant1921
junker1922
dope-pedlar1923
junkie1923
pedlar1929
pusher1929
dope-seller1930
dope-runner1933
connection1934
dope-smuggler1937
tea man1938
man1942
dealer1951
score1951
passer1956
candy man1965
narcotraficante1980
clocker1989
1934 Detective Fiction Weekly 21 Apr. 113/2 The person from whom the addict buys his stuff is called a connection.
1938 F. Chester Shot Full ii. 14 Her husband..had not had a chance to tell her his connexion for obtaining the drug.
1938 F. Chester Shot Full ii. 17 To his extremely numerous clients, the drug-addicts, he was known as..a sure connexion.
1957 J. Kerouac On the Road i. xiii. 88 A couple of Negro characters whispered in my ear about tea... The connection came in and motioned me to the cellar toilet.
1960 J. Gelber (title) The connection.
1967 M. M. Glatt et al. Drug Scene in Great Brit. vi. 71 For his first connection he paid £1 per grain.
d. (Usually preceded by qualifying word.) A gang of criminals, esp. drug-traffickers; hence, a route, etc., maintained by such a gang. Also transferred. [Now often in allusion to the film The French Connection (1971), based on Moore's book: see quot. 1969.]
ΘΚΠ
society > law > rule of law > lawlessness > [noun] > crime > a criminal or law-breaker > criminal gang
gang1652
mob1927
syndicate1929
connection1969
society > trade and finance > selling > seller > sellers of specific things > [noun] > seller of illicit drugs > group or gang of
connection1969
1969 R. Moore (title) The French connection: the world's most crucial narcotics investigation.
1973 C. Sagan (title) The cosmic connection.
1976 N.Y. Times 25 Aug. 10 At least 15 other foreigners have been detained in the Soviet Union on narcotics charges.., reflecting a growing concern of the Soviet authorities about the ‘Moscow connection’, as some Westerners have nicknamed the Moscow transit route.
1977 Chicago Tribune 2 Oct. i. 40/1 They reported on Chicago's ‘Mexican Connection’ to the U.S. House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control.
1985 Sunday Times 14 Apr. 23/2 Information from Britain had enabled them to disrupt a ‘Nigerian connection’; several Nigerians were arrested attempting to smuggle heroin into the United States.
1985 Sunday Tel. 7 July 9/1 (heading) Operation Moses and the Belgian connection.
7. A body, or circle of persons connected together, or with whom one is connected, by political or religious ties, or by commercial relations; a body of fellow-worshippers, of political sympathizers, a circle of clients, customers, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > [noun] > circles or sources of acquaintance
society1579
neighbourhood1596
conversation1620
connection1767
1767 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 6 Apr. (1932) (modernized text) VI. 2806 What is called the Rockingham connection, stands the fairest for the ministry.
1848 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. iv He had long been at the head of a strong parliamentary connection.
1853 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes (1854) I. v. 46 Doing a most respectable business, especially in the Dissenting connection.
1868 M. E. Grant Duff Polit. Surv. 120 The Republicans are essentially the same political connexion which was headed by Washington.
1891 N.E.D. at Connexion Mod. An old established business with a first-rate connexion.
8. Used by Wesley of those associated or connected with him in religious work and aims; thence it gradually became with the Wesleyans equivalent to ‘religious society’ or ‘denomination’, and is used also by other Methodist associations and bodies which have sprung from them.The development of this sense from the simple phrase ‘in connection with’ is shown in the following examples:
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > religion > a religion or church > [noun]
churcheOE
kirkc1175
spousea1200
lawa1225
lorea1225
religionc1325
faithc1384
sectc1386
seta1387
leara1400
hirselc1480
professiona1513
congregation1526
communion1553
schism1555
segregation1563
sex1583
hortus conclususa1631
confessiona1641
dispensation1643
sectary1651
churchship1675
cult1679
persuasion1732
denomination1746–7
connection1753
covenant1818
sectarism1821
organized religion1843
1753–7 J. Wesley Large Minutes Q. 51 He may be received into full connexion with us [1780 He may be received into full connexion].
1768 J. Wesley Jrnl. III. 127 I and all the Preachers in connexion with me.
1791 Minutes Wesl. Conf. Q. 9 The Preachers of his District who are in full connexion.)
9. The meeting of one means of communication (as a railway train or steam-boat) by another at an appointed time and place in order to take on the passengers. to run in connection, to make connections, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > [noun] > the meeting of one form of transport with another
connection1862
1862 A. Trollope N. Amer. II. 99 ‘I have got a furlough for ten days’, one soldier said to me. ‘And I have missed every connection all through from Washington here. I shall have just time to turn round and go back when I get home’.
1891 N.E.D. at Connexion Mod. The steamers on the lake run in connexion with the trains; and coaches start from Waterhead in connexion with the steamers.
10. The phrase in connection with occurs in most of the senses.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > fact or action of being connected or connecting > in connection with [phrase]
in link1581
in connection with1768
the world > relative properties > relationship > in relation to [phrase]
in the matter of1465
in (also with) relation to1551
in connection with1856
1768 [see sense 8].
1841 T. De Quincey Plato's Republic in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. July 40/2 That war, taken in connexion with the bloody feuds that succeeded it..gave a shock to the civilisation of Greece.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. i. 27 Except in rare instances, the agricultural labourer held land in connexion with his house.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire vi. 311 We may say of Voltaire in connection with history what he said of Corneille in connection with tragedy.
1876 T. Fowler Induct. Logic Pref. to Ed. 3 The student is requested to read this Preface in connexion with Chapter III.
1891 N.E.D. at Connexion Mod. In connexion with this subject, it may be remarked, etc.
11. attributive, as connection rod.
ΚΠ
1836 Hull & Selby Railw. Act 45 It shall be lawful for any proprietor..to fix all such ropes, chains, connexion rods and other matters.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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