dating
UK: ˈdeɪtɪŋ | US: ˈdeɪtɪŋ
n. the activity of going on romantic or social outings with someone
n. the process of determining the age of an object or artifact
v. (gerund) engaging in romantic or social outings with someone
The word "dating" derives from the noun "date," which originally referred to an appointed time or meeting (from Latin "data," meaning "given"). By the late 19th century, "date" evolved to specifically mean a romantic outing. The suffix "-ing" turns the verb "to date" into a gerund or present participle, reflecting the ongoing action or concept of romantic or social meetings. The secondary meaning (determining age) stems from the verb "to date" in archaeology, where it signifies assigning a chronological marker.
They started dating last summer and have been inseparable since.
Carbon dating is a common method for estimating the age of fossils.
Online dating has become increasingly popular in recent years.
The pottery shards are currently undergoing dating analysis.
She enjoys dating but isn’t looking for a serious relationship yet.