administrative
This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 01:42. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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
Modern meaning
Adjective
- Relating to the management and organization of a business, institution or government.
- 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
- ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
- ^ a b c d e f Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
- ^ a b Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
- ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
- ^ Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster