interstate English · revision 10611

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1838|origins=en inter-|origins=en state}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˌɪn.təˈsteɪt/, US /ˈɪn.t̬ɚ.steɪt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[inter-]], between, and [[state]] in the American sense.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Existing or carried on between different states: 1838, in American English, in reference to the traffic in slaves;^(Etymonline) 1844 in Merriam-Webster, before 1845 in the OED.^(MWU 2024)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Interstate commerce, carried on between people in different US states, is regulated by Congress under the Constitution.^(Etymonline) In Australia interstate is used as an adverb, to or from another state, from 1924.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023) The noun, an interstate highway, is from 1968 in Merriam-Webster, by 1975 in Etymonline.^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1838 – between states (US).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1924 – to another state (Australia).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1968 – an interstate highway.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Between or involving two or more states, especially of the United States or Australia.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(US)'' A [[highway]] in the national system linking the states.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # ''(Australia)'' To or in another state.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[state]]

+ * [[intrastate]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}