import English · revision 7826

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1425|origins=la importo}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɪm.pɔːt/, /ˈɪm.pɔɹt/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English importen, [[bor|la|importo|alt=importāre|t=to bring in, convey; in Medieval Latin to imply, mean]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from in-, into, and [[m|la|porto|alt=portāre|t=to carry]] (see [[port]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from PIE [[ine-pro|*per-|t=to lead, pass over]].^(Etymonline) The trade sense was influenced by Middle French importer.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To convey information, signify: probably before 1425 in Barnhart, the early 15th century in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To bring in from an outside source is first recorded in Skelton's ''Phyllyp Sparowe'' (1508),^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and to bring in goods from a foreign country from 1548 (the 1540s).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) To imply or mean is from about 1529–33, in Sir Thomas More,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and to be important from the 1580s.^(Etymonline) The noun, consequence, importance, is from the 1580s,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) and that which is imported from the 1680s (17th century in Hoad).^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) To transfer a file between programs is a computing sense.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1425 – to signify.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1508 – to bring in.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1548 – to bring in goods.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1580s – importance (noun).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1680s – something imported.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To bring in [[goods]] or services from a foreign country for sale.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To bring in from an outside source: ''to import foreign words''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(computing)'' To transfer data or a file from one program or system to another.^(AHD)

+ # ''(formal)'' To mean or signify.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # Something imported, or the business of importing.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(formal)'' Meaning or [[significance]]: ''a matter of great import''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[importability]]

+ * [[importable]]

+ * [[importer]]

+ * [[nonimport]]

+ * [[reimport]]

+ * [[unimported]]

+ * [[unimporting]]

+ * [[importee]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[importance]]

+ * [[important]]

+ * [[export]]

+ * [[transport]]

+ * [[portable]]

+ * [[porter]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}