Etymologically
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install

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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

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