Shared by is a phrase that indicates the act of dividing or distributing something among multiple individuals or groups. It implies that a particular item, resource, responsibility, or attribute is owned, used, or experienced collectively.
In a literal sense, shared by refers to the action of giving or assigning a portion of something to multiple recipients. For instance, a cake shared by three friends means that each friend receives an equal part or slice of the cake. This concept underlines the idea of equal distribution and fairness among those involved.
Moreover, shared by can also describe the joint possession or utilization of an object, space, or facility. For instance, an office space shared by several employees means that the physical area is used collaboratively by multiple individuals who work in the same organization or department.
In a figurative sense, shared by refers to the presence or manifestation of a characteristic or quality that is common among a group of people or things. For example, a belief system shared by a particular community signifies that the members of that community hold similar values, traditions, or ideologies.
Overall, shared by signifies a state of communal ownership, distribution, or similarity, whether it pertains to resources, attributes, responsibilities, or experiences. It embodies the idea of individuals or groups jointly participating and benefiting from a given entity or characteristic.
The phrase "shared by" does not have a distinctive etymology of its own, as it is composed of two separate words: "shared" and "by". However, we can look at the origins of these individual words.
1. Shared: The word "shared" comes from the Old English word "scearu" which means a division, portion, or base. It evolved to "sharen" in Middle English, and eventually became "shared" in Modern English. The term generally refers to the act of dividing or giving parts of something to others.
2. By: The word "by" originated from the Old English word "bi", which developed from an earlier form "be". It has connections with other Germanic languages, such as German "bei" and Dutch "bij". "By" is a versatile preposition that can indicate a range of meanings, such as proximity, manner, or agency.