issue

Everyday

1. An issue is an important subject or problem people talk about: environmental issues. tree →
2. (informal) An issue is a problem or worry: "I have an issue with my phone." tree →
3. An issue of a magazine or comic is one copy of it printed at a time. tree →
4. To issue something is to give it out officially, like tickets, books or a warning. tree →
5. (formal) The issue of something is the act of giving it out. tree →

In the lessons

In news and citizenship lessons: issues like pollution. At school: books are issued; warnings are issued. In comics: "issue 12". In everyday talk: "What's the issue?" means "What's wrong?". Phrases: the main issue, take issue with (disagree), no issue, issue a warning, back issue.

Examples

• Pollution is a big issue for our planet. tree →
• The library issued me three books. tree →
• What's the issue? You look upset. tree →
• The weather office issued a storm warning. tree →
• I bought the latest issue of my comic. tree →
• My brother has issues with getting up early. tree →
• Each pupil was issued a new pencil, 30 pencils in all. tree →
• I take issue with that idea. tree →
• The rat raja issued an order at once to that effect to his army. tree →

Note

Starts with a vowel: "an issue". Pronounced ISH-oo (UK also IS-yoo). Regular verb: issued. Trap: "issues" (informal) can mean personal problems, which can sound unkind.

In Jewish tradition

In the laws of purity, a person with an issue makes beds, seats and saddles unclean, and after healing counts seven days, washes, and brings offerings. In Proverbs, Job and Psalms "issues" and "issued" mean a source or a coming out: the issues of life flow from the heart, the sea issued from the womb, and God holds the issues of death (a way out of death).

Interpretation. Tradition reads Proverbs as teaching that a person's life and actions flow from the heart, so it must be guarded.

Examples

• And what saddle soever he that hath the issue rideth upon shall be unclean. (Torah LEV.15.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• Every bed whereon he that hath the issue lieth shall be unclean; and every thing whereon he sitteth shall be unclean. (Torah LEV.15.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean. (Torah LEV.15.28, JPS 1917) tree →
• Above all that thou guardest keep thy heart; for out of it are the issues of life. (Writings PRO.4.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth, and issued out of the womb; (Writings JOB.38.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• God is unto us a God of deliverances; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues of death. (Writings PSA.68.21, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Starts with a vowel: "an issue". Pronounced ISH-oo (UK also IS-yoo). Regular verb: issued. Trap: "issues" (informal) can mean personal problems, which can sound unkind.

Early Modern English

Meaning

In these texts it means a flow or discharge from the body, or something that comes out or proceeds from a source. tree →

Then and now

Today an issue is a problem or subject for discussion. "Issue orders" still means to give out orders, but the sense of coming out or flowing is old and used in the first and third sentences.

Examples

• And what saddle soever he that hath the issue rideth upon shall be unclean. (Torah LEV.15.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• From this day we shall issue orders to our armies to oppress all the subjects of this kingdom. (Indian Fairy Tales) tree →
• Three Mothers and Three Fathers; and thence issue Fire, Air, and Water. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →

Note

Today: children; a flow.