incentive English · revision 10762

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1432|origins=la-lat incentivum}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ɪnˈsen.tɪv/, US /ɪnˈsen.t̬ɪv/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-lat|incentīvum]], the noun use of the neuter of Latin incentīvus, setting the tune, in Late Latin inciting,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from incentus, past participle of incinere, to strike up, blow into an instrument,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from in-, into, and canere, to sing (see [[chant]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Word Origins notes its kinship with [[incantation]].^(Cresswell 2021)^(Hoad 1986) Etymonline suggests its sense was influenced in Late Latin by incendere, to kindle.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Something that stirs the mind or incites to action: 1432–50 in the OED, probably before 1425 in a translation of Higden's Polychronicon.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The adjective, provocative or encouraging, is from 1603, in Holland's Plutarch;^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) Milton used it to mean kindling, incendiary (1667).^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Of a system of rewards to encourage harder work, the adjective is first attested in 1943, in the jargon of the American war economy,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the noun, an incentive payment, from 1948.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1432–50 – something that incites.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1603 – inciting (adjective).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1667 – kindling (Milton).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1943 – incentive pay.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1948 – an incentive payment.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Something that encourages a person to act or work harder; a [[stimulus]] or [[motive]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An extra payment or benefit offered to increase output or sales.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Serving to encourage or motivate: ''an incentive scheme''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[incentively]]

+ * [[counterincentive]]

+ * [[nonincentive]]

+ * [[incent]]

+ * [[incentivize]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[incantation]]

+ * [[chant]]

+ * [[enchant]]

+ * [[cantor]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}