install

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪnˈstɔːl/ (UK); /ɪnˈstɔl/, /ɪnˈstɑl/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Middle French installer or directly borrowed from Medieval Latin installāre,^[2][3][4] from in (“in”) and Medieval Latin stallum, stall, place, from a Germanic source such as Old High German stal, place (see stall).^[2][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

To place in an ecclesiastical office by seating in an official stall: about 1422 in Barnhart, the early 15th century in Etymonline.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

The Century Dictionary, quoted by Etymonline, describes the installation of a canon as inducting him into his stall in the choir and his place in the chapter.^[3] To place in any office of dignity is from 1647.^[5] To place an apparatus or system, such as lighting or heating, in position for use is from 1867, after French, the mid-19th century in NODE.^[5][6][7] To put software on a computer is a later sense.^[8]

Timeline

• c. 1422 – to place in office.^[2]
• 1647 – to place in any position.^[5]
• 1867 – to set up an apparatus.^[5]

Modern meaning

Verb

1. To place or fix equipment in position ready for use.
2. To put a computer program onto a computer so that it can be used.
3. To place someone formally in a new office or position.
4. To settle in a place or position.

Word family

• installer
• preinstall
• reinstall
• uninstalled

Related words

• installation
• installment
• instalment
• stall

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ a b c d Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
8. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins