The spelling of the word "relevancy" has been a subject of debate among language enthusiasts. It is pronounced as /ˈrɛləvənsi/ with stress on the second syllable. The addition of the suffix "-ancy" to the word "relevant" may seem incorrect, as the more commonly used suffix for noun formation from adjective is "-ance". However, "-ancy" is still an acceptable variant and has been used in the English language for some time. Despite the controversy, both "relevance" and "relevancy" are commonly used in modern English.
Relevancy is a noun that describes the quality or state of being relevant or pertinent to a particular topic, situation, or context. It refers to how closely something aligns with or connects to the subject at hand, and its importance or significance in relation to it.
In various fields such as research, education, law, and communication, relevancy serves as a fundamental criterion in evaluating the appropriateness or applicability of information, ideas, evidence, or arguments. It involves determining whether the information presented is directly related to the subject being discussed, and whether it adds value, clarity, or insight to the topic. Relevancy allows individuals to discern the material that is truly pertinent from that which may be extraneous or unrelated.
The concept of relevancy helps people prioritize and filter through the vast amounts of information available, enabling them to focus on the most valuable and meaningful content. It assists in generating accurate and reliable conclusions or decisions that are based on the most relevant and appropriate input. In legal contexts, relevancy plays a crucial role in determining the admissibility of evidence in court proceedings, ensuring that only information directly related to the case is considered.
Overall, relevancy emphasizes the need for information, ideas, or arguments to have direct applicability, significance, or connection to a given topic, making it an essential aspect of effective communication, critical thinking, research, and decision-making.
State of being relevant; in Scotch law, sufficient to support the cause.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "relevancy" is derived from the adjective "relevant", which comes from the Latin word "relevans" (also spelled "relevare"). In Latin, "relevans" is the present participle of the verb "relevare", meaning "to raise up" or "to lighten". The prefix "re-" indicates an action done again or back, and the stem "levare" means "to lift" or "to make light". Over time, "relevant" came to mean "pertinent" or "connected to the matter at hand", and "relevancy" serves as the noun form of this adjective.