administrative

Pronunciation

• IPA: UK /ədˈmɪn.ɪ.strə.tɪv/, /ədˈmɪn.ɪ.streɪ.tɪv/, US /ədˈmɪn.ə.streɪ.tɪv/, /ædˈmɪn.ə.streɪ.tɪv/^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin administrātīvus,^[2][3] from administrāt-, the past participle stem of administrāre “to manage, control”,^[2][3] the source of administer.^[2] MWU analyses it as administration with the suffix -ative.^[4] It is related to administration and minister.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Relating to the management of public affairs: 1731 in the OED, Etymonline and MW, though MWU dates its first known use to 1651.^[5][2][6][4]

Semantic evolution

Of the nature of stewardship or delegated authority, as opposed to independent authority, it is from 1753.^[5] As a quasi-noun, an administrative body, it is from 1876.^[5]

Timeline

• 1651 – first known use.^[4]
• 1731 – relating to management.^[5][2]
• 1753 – of delegated authority.^[5]

Modern meaning

Adjective

1. Relating to the management and organization of a business, institution or government.
2. Relating to the executive branch of government.

Word family

• administratively
• subadministrative
• administrative segregation
• administrative law
• administrative leave

Related words

• administer
• administerial
• administrator
• minister
• administration

References

1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c d e f Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
4. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster