Etymology dictionary
insectivorous (adj.) — institutional (adj.)
insectivorous (adj.)
1610s; see insect + -vorous "eating, devouring." The mammalian class of Insectivora is from 1821; insectivore (n.) is from 1858 (both are earlier in French).
insecure (adj.)
1640s, "unsafe," also "not fully assured, not free from fear or doubt," from Medieval Latin insecurus, from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + Latin securus (see secure (adj.)). Psychological sense dates from 1935. (insecurity in the psychological sense dates from 1917.) Related: Insecurely.
insecurity (n.)
1640s, "state of being unsafe," also "lack of assurance or confidence, apprehension," from Medieval Latin insecuritas, from insecurus (see insecure). Specific psychological sense is by 1917.
inseminate (v.)
1620s, "to cast as seed," from inseminatus, past participle of Latin inseminare "to sow, implant," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + semen (genitive semenis) "seed" (from PIE root *sē- "to sow"). Meaning "to impregnate with semen" is attested from 1897.
Related: Inseminated; inseminating.
insemination (n.)
1650s, "action of sowing," noun of action from inseminate. Meaning "infusion of semen" is from 1854.
insensible (adj.)
c. 1400, "lacking the power to feel with the senses, numb, dazed" (now rare in this meaning), from Late Latin insensibilis "that cannot be felt," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + sensibilis "having feeling: perceptible by the senses" (see sensible). Meaning "void of feeling, not susceptible to emotion or passion" is from 1610s. Meaning "incapable of being felt or perceived by the senses or the mind, so small or slight as to be imperceptible" is from late 14c. Compare insensate.
insensate (adj.)
1510s, "lacking or deprived of physical senses," from Late Latin insensatus "irrational, foolish," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + sensatus "gifted with sense" (see sensate).
Meaning "irrational, maniacal, lacking or deprived of mental sense" is from 1520s; meaning "lacking or deprived of moral sense, unfeeling" is from 1550s. Insensate means "not capable of feeling sensation," often "inanimate;" insensible means "lacking the power to feel with the senses," hence, often, "unconscious;" insensitive means "having little or no reaction to what is perceived by one's senses," often "tactless." Related: Insensately; insensateness.
insense (v.)
"teach, instruct, cause (someone) to understand," c. 1400, ensense, from Old French ensenser "to enlighten, to bring to sense," from en- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + sens (see sense (n.)). "From 17th c. app. only dialectal (chiefly northern), or in writers under dialectal influence" [OED].
insensibly (adv.)
"so as not to be felt or perceived," early 15c.; see insensible + -ly (2).
insensibility (n.)
late 14c., "absence of physical sensation, numbness," from Late Latin insensibilitas, from insensibilis "that cannot be felt" (see insensible). Meaning "quality of being imperceptible" is from 1630s. Meaning "absence of moral feeling, indifference" is from 1690s.
insensitive (adj.)
c. 1600, "having little or no reaction to what is perceived by one's senses," from in- (1) "not, opposite of" + sensitive. For sense, see insensate. From 1834 as "having little or no mental or moral sensitiveness;" meaning "without consideration for the feelings of others" attested by 1974. Related: Insensitively.
insensuous (adj.)
"not affecting the senses," 1851, from in- (1) "not, opposite of" + sensuous. Related: Insensuously; insensuousness.
inseparable (adj.)
mid-14c., from Latin inseparabilis "that cannot be separated," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + separabilis, from separare "to pull apart" (see separate (v.)). Related: Inseparably.
inseparability (n.)
1620s, from Late Latin inseparabilitas "inseparableness," from Latin inseparabilis "that cannot be separated," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + separabilis, from separare (see separate (v.)).
insert (n.)
"something inserted," 1893, especially a paper, etc., placed in among the pages of a newspaper, magazine, etc., from insert (v.).
insert (v.)
"to set in, put or place in," 1520s, from Latin insertus, past participle of inserere "to graft, implant," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + serere "join together, arrange, put in a row," from PIE root *ser- (2) "to line up." Middle English had inseren "to set in place, to graft, to introduce (into the mind)" (late 14c.), directly from the Latin verb. Related: Inserted; inserting.
insertion (n.)
1590s, "act of putting in," from French insertion (16c.) or directly from Late Latin insertionem (nominative insertio) "a putting in," noun of action from past participle stem of Latin inserere "to graft, implant" (see insert (v.)). Meaning "that which is inserted" attested from 1620s.
in-service (adj.)
also inservice, 1928, from in (prep.) + service (n.).
inset (n.)
1550s, "influx of water; place where water flows in," from in (prep.) + set (n.2). The sense "that which is set in" ("extra pages of a book, etc.," 1871; "small map in the border of a larger one," 1872) probably is a separate formation. In Old English insetan (Old Northumbrian insetta) meant "an institution," literally "a setting in," and perhaps a loan-translation of the source of institution. Similar formation in German einsetzen "to use, employ; institute, begin; install."
inshallah (interj.)
1818, phonological spelling of Arabic in sha Allah "if Allah wills (it)."
inshore (adj.)
also in-shore, "near the shore," 1701, from in (prep.) + shore (n.). As an adverb from 1737.
insider (n.)
"one in possession of special information by virtue of being within some organization," 1848, from inside (n.) + -er (1). Originally in reference to the stock markets.
inside (n.)
late 14c., ynneside "interior part (of the body)," compound of in (prep.) + side (n.). General sense "inner side or part (of anything)" is from c. 1500.
The adjective sense "being on the inside" is from 1610s, from the noun. It began to be used in slang c. 1900 in reference to the supposed real facts or situation that only an insider would know. Inside man is from 1911 (originally in reference to workers used by management to sniff out union activity); inside job "robbery, espionage, etc., committed by or with the help of a resident or servant of a place" is attested by 1887, American English (also, late 19c., early 20c., "indoors work").
The figurative inside track "advantage" (1854) however is a metaphor from horse racing (1830); inside lanes are shorter than the outer ones on a curved track. Adverbial use in American English inside of (in reference to time) is from 1839.
inside-out (adj.)
"with the in side being out," c. 1600, from inside (n.) + out (prep.). Reverse in form but identical in sense outside-in is attested by 1771.
insidious (adj.)
1540s, from French insidieux "insidious" (15c.) or directly from Latin insidiosus "deceitful, cunning, artful, treacherous," from insidiae (plural) "plot, snare, ambush," from insidere "sit on, occupy," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + sedere "to sit," from PIE root *sed- (1) "to sit." Figurative, usually with a suggestion of lying in wait and the intent to entrap. Related: Insidiously; insidiousness.
insightful (adj.)
"with penetrating understanding into character or hidden nature," 1881, from insight + -ful. Some earlier words in the same sense were insighted (c. 1600), inseeing "having insight" (1590s). Related: Insightfully; insightfulness.
insight (n.)
c. 1200, innsihht, "sight with the 'eyes' of the mind, mental vision, understanding from within," from in (prep.) + sight (n.). But the meaning often seems to be felt as "sight into" (something else), and so the sense shifted to "penetrating understanding into character or hidden nature" (1580s). Similar formation in Dutch inzigt, German einsicht, Danish indsigt.
insignia (n.)
1640s, from Latin insignia, neuter plural of insigne "badge of honor or office, mark, proof, sign, token," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + signum "identifying mark, sign" (see sign (n.)). The classically correct singular is insigne.
insignificance (n.)
1690s, from insignificant + -ance. Earlier was insignificancy (1650s).
insignificant (adj.)
1650s, "without meaning," also "answering to no purpose," from in- (1) "not, opposite of" + significant. From 1748 as "small in size." Related: Insignificantly.
insincere (adj.)
1620s (implied in insincerely), from Latin insincerus "spoiled, corrupted; not genuine, not pure, adulterated," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + sincerus "genuine, candid" (see sincere). Related: Insincerely.
insincerity (n.)
1540s, from in- (1) "not, opposite of" + sincerity, or else from Latin insincerus "not genuine, not pure; spoiled, corrupted" (see insincere).
insinuate (v.)
1520s, "to covertly and subtly introduce into the mind or heart" (trans.), from Latin insinuatus, past participle of insinuare "to thrust in, push in, make a way; creep in, intrude, bring in by windings and curvings, wind one's way into," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + sinuare "to wind, bend, curve," from sinus "a curve, winding" (see sinus).
Intransitive meaning "hint obliquely" is from 1560s. Meaning "maneuver (someone or something) into some desired position or condition" is from 1570s. Physical or literal sense of "to introduce tortuously or indirectly" is from 1640s. Related: Insinuated; insinuating.
insinuating (adj.)
"wheedling, ingratiating," 1590s, present-participle adjective from insinuate (v.). Related: Insinuatingly.
insinuation (n.)
1520s, "act of making an indirect suggestion;" 1530s, "that which is indirectly suggested," from French insinuation (16c.) or directly from Latin insinuationem (nominative insinuatio) "entrance through a narrow way; an ingratiating oneself," noun of action from past-participle stem of insinuare "creep in, intrude, wind one's way into" (see insinuate).
insipient (adj.)
"foolish," mid-15c., from Latin insipientem (nominative insipiens) "unwise, foolish," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + sapientem (see sapient). "Now mostly, or wholly, disused to avoid confusion with incipient" [OED].
insipience (n.)
early 15c., "lack of wisdom, foolishness," from Old French insipience (15c.) or directly from Latin insipientia "folly, unwisdom," from insipientem "unwise, foolish" (see insipient).
insipidity (n.)
insipid (adj.)
1610s, "without taste or perceptible flavor," from French insipide "insipid" (16c.), from Late Latin inspidus "tasteless," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + Latin sapidus "tasty," from sapere "have a taste" (also "be wise;" see sapient). Figurative meaning "uninteresting, dull" first recorded in English 1640s, probably from Medieval Latin or the Romance languages, where it was a secondary sense.
Related: Insipidly.
insistence (n.)
mid-15c., "persistence, urgency," from Old French insister "to insist" (14c.) and directly from Latin insistere (see insist) + -ence.
insist (v.)
1580s, from French insister (14c.) or directly from Latin insistere "take a stand, stand on, stand still; follow, pursue; insist, press vigorously, urge, dwell upon," from in- "upon" (from PIE root *en "in") + sistere "take a stand," from PIE *si-st-, reduplicated form of root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm." Perhaps in some cases a back-formation from insistence. Related: Insisted; insisting.
insistent (adj.)
1620s, "standing on something," from Latin insistentem (nominative insistens), present participle of insistere "stand on," also "urge, insist," from in- "upon" (from PIE root *en "in") + sistere "take a stand" (see assist (v.)). Meaning "persistent, urgent, demanding attention" is from 1868. Related: Insistently.
in situ
1740, Latin, literally "in its (original) place or position," from ablative of situs "site" (see site (n.)).
insobriety (n.)
1610s, from in- (1) "not, opposite of" + sobriety.
insociability (n.)
1740, from insociable "unsociable" (1580s), from in- (1) "not, opposite of" + sociable.
insolence (n.)
late 14c., from Latin insolentia "unusualness, strangeness; excess, immoderation; haughtiness, arrogance," from insolentem "unusual; arrogant" (see insolent).
insole (n.)
"inner sole of a shoe or boot," 1838, from in + sole (n.1).
insolation (n.)
"exposure to the sun's rays," 1610s, from French insolation (16c.), from Latin insolationem (nominative insolatio), noun of action from past participle stem of insolare "place in the sun, expose to the sun," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + sol "sun" (from PIE root *sawel- "the sun").
insolent (adj.)
late 14c., "contemptuous, arrogant, showing haughty disregard of others," from Latin insolentem (nominative insolens) "arrogant, immoderate," also "unaccustomed, unwonted," literally "unusual, unfamiliar," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + solentem, present participle of solere "be accustomed, be used to; cohabit with," from Proto-Italic *sol-e-.
This is of uncertain origin. An old guess connects it to the source of Latin sodalis "close companion," and suescere "become used to," but de Vaan rejects this on phonetic grounds. Another guess connects it to the source of Latin solum "ground," with a possible sense shift from "inhabit" to "be accustomed to." Or it might be from PIE root *sel- (1) "human settlement" (source also of Old Church Slavonic selo "courtyard, village," Russian selo "village," Old English sele, Old High German sal "hall, house"). Meaning "contemptuous of rightful authority" is from 1670s. Related: Insolently.
insolate (v.)
"expose to the rays of the sun," 1620s, from Latin insolatus, past participle of insolare "place in the sun, expose to the sun," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + sol "sun" (from PIE root *sawel- "the sun"). Related: Insolated; insolating.
insolubility (n.)
1754, "incapability of dissolving in a liquid," 1791, from Late Latin insolubilitas, from Latin insolubilis "that cannot be loosened" (see insoluble). Earlier in a sense "that cannot be dissolved" (of marriage), 1610s. The meaning "that cannot be solved" (1722) probably is a separate formation from insoluble.
insoluble (adj.)
late 14c., "indestructible, unable to be loosened," also figuratively, of problems, etc., "incapable of being solved or explained," from Old French insoluble or directly from Latin insolubilis "that cannot be loosened," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + solubilis "that can be loosened" (see soluble).
Meaning "incapable of being dissolved in a liquid" is from 1713.
insolvable (adj.)
1650s, from French insolvable (15c.), from in- "not, opposite of" (from PIE root *en "in") + solvable (see solvable).
insolvent (adj.)
1590s, "unable to pay one's debts," from in- (1) "not" + Latin solventem "paying" (see solvent). Originally of one who was not a trader; only traders could become bankrupt.
insolvency (n.)
1660s, from insolvent (q.v.) + abstract noun suffix -cy. Insolvence (1793) is rare.
insomnia (n.)
"chronic inability to sleep," 1620s, insomnie, from Latin insomnia "want of sleep, sleeplessness," from insomnis "sleepless," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + somnus "sleep" (from PIE root *swep- "to sleep"). The re-Latinized form is from 1758.
insomniac
1877 (adj.); 1879 (n.), from insomnia. Earlier was insomnious (1650s).
insomuch (adv.)
late 14c. as a phrase; tending to be run together from 16c.; see in (adv.) + so + much, and compare inasmuch.
insouciance (n.)
1820, from French insouciance "heedless indifference or unconcern," from insouciant "carelessness, thoughtlessness, heedlessness," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + souciant "caring," present participle of soucier "to care," from Latin sollicitare "to agitate" (see solicit).
insouciant (adj.)
1828, from French insouciant "careless, thoughtless, heedless," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + souciant "caring," present participle of soucier "to care," from Latin sollicitare "to agitate" (see solicit). Related: Insouciantly.
inspection (n.)
late 14c., from Old French inspeccion "inspection, examination" (13c., Modern French inspection), from Latin inspectionem (nominative inspectio) "a looking into," noun of action from past participle stem of inspicere "look at, observe, view; look into, inspect, examine," from in- "into" (from PIE root *en "in") + specere "to look" (from PIE root *spek- "to observe"). Old English used onbesceawung as a loan-translation of Latin inspectio. Related: Inspectional.
inspect (v.)
1620s, from Latin inspectus, past participle of inspicere "look at, observe, view; look into, inspect, examine," from in- "into" (from PIE root *en "in") + specere "to look" (from PIE root *spek- "to observe"). Related: Inspected; inspecting.
inspector (n.)
c. 1600, "overseer, superintendent," from Latin inspector "one who views or observes," agent noun from past participle stem of inspicere "look at, observe, view; look into, inspect, examine," from in- "into" (from PIE root *en "in") + specere "to look" (from PIE root *spek- "to observe"). As a police ranking between sergeant and superintendent, it dates from 1840. Related: Inspectorial (1752). Of the 18c. feminine formations, inspectrix (1703) is earlier than inspectress (1737).
inspectorate (n.)
1762, "function or office of an inspector," from inspector + -ate (1). From 1853 as "district under the supervision of an inspector."
inspiration (n.)
c. 1300, "immediate influence of God or a god," especially that under which the holy books were written, from Old French inspiracion "inhaling, breathing in; inspiration" (13c.), from Late Latin inspirationem (nominative inspiratio), noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin inspirare "blow into, breathe upon," figuratively "inspire, excite, inflame," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + spirare "to breathe" (see spirit (n.)). ,
The sense evolution seems to be from "breathe into" to "infuse animation or influence," thus "affect, rouse, guide or control," especially by divine influence. Inspire (v.) in Middle English also was used to mean "breath or put life or spirit into the human body; impart reason to a human soul." Literal sense "act of inhaling" attested in English from 1560s. Meaning "one who inspires others" is attested by 1867.
inspire (v.)
mid-14c., enspiren, "to fill (the mind, heart, etc., with grace, etc.);" also "to prompt or induce (someone to do something)," from Old French enspirer (13c.), from Latin inspirare "blow into, breathe upon," figuratively "inspire, excite, inflame," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + spirare "to breathe" (see spirit (n.)).
The Latin word was used as a loan-translation of Greek pnein in the Bible. General sense of "influence or animate with an idea or purpose" is from late 14c. Also sometimes used in literal sense in Middle English. Related: Inspires; inspiring.
inspirer (n.)
c. 1500, agent noun from inspire (v.). The Late Latin form, inspirator, is attested in English in 17c. in the Latin figurative sense but later was used literally as the name of a steam-engine part (1890). Inspirationist is "one who believes in the inspiration of the Scriptures (1846). As a fem. form of inspirer, inspiratrix (1819) has been used.
inspirational (adj.)
"tending to inspire," 1878; see inspiration + -al (1). Also "influenced by inspiration" (1839); "pertaining to inspiration" (1888). The adjective was used earlier in spiritualism. Earlier in the sense "tending to inspire" were inspirative (1770), inspiring (1640s).
inspired (adj.)
c. 1400, "communicated by divine or supernatural powers," past-participle adjective from inspire (v.). From 1660s as "infused with seemingly supernatural influence."
inspissation (n.)
c. 1600, from Medieval Latin inspissationem (nominative inspissatio), noun of action from past participle stem of inspissare, from in- "in, into" (from PIE root *en "in") + Latin spissare "to thicken," related to spissus "thick" (see spissitude).
inspissate (v.)
"make thick or thicker," 1620s, from Late Latin inspissatus, past participle of inspissare, from in- "in, into" (from PIE root *en "in") + Latin spissare "to thicken," related to spissus "thick" (see spissitude). Related: Inspissated; inspissating.
instable (adj.)
c. 1400, from Latin instabilis "unsteady, not firm, inconstant, fickle," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + stabilis (see stable (adj.)). Now mostly replaced by unstable.
instability (n.)
early 15c., from Old French instabilité "inconstancy" (15c.) or directly from Latin instabilitatem (nominative instabilitas) "unsteadiness," from instabilis "unsteady, not firm, inconstant, fickle," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + stabilis (see stable (adj.)).
install (v.)
also instal, formerly also enstall, early 15c., "place in (ecclesiastical) office by seating in an official stall," from Old French installer (14c.) or directly from Medieval Latin installare, from Latin in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + Medieval Latin stallum "stall," from a Germanic source (compare Old High German stal "standing place;" see stall (n.1)). Related: Installed; installing.
installment (n.2)
also instalment, 1580s, "induction into office, act of installing," from install + -ment.
installment (n.1)
"a partial payment on account of debt due," 1776, earlier "the arrangement of payment" (1732), an alteration of Anglo-French estaler "to fix payments," from Old French estal "fixed position, place; stall of a stable, market, or choir," from a Germanic source akin to Old High German stal "standing place" (see stall (n.1)). The general sense of "a part of a whole, furnished or produced in advance of the rest" is from 1823. Installment plan is from 1894.
installation (n.)
mid-15c., "action of installing," in reference to church offices or other positions, from Medieval Latin installationem (nominative installatio), noun of action from past participle stem of installare (see install). Of machinery, etc., "act of setting up, a placing in position for use," from 1882.
Instamatic
1962, proprietary name (reg. Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, New York) for a type of self-loading camera, from instant + automatic.
instance (n.)
late 14c., "urgency, insistence" (a sense now archaic), from Old French instance "effort, application; urgency, eagerness, anxiety" (13c.), from Latin instantia "presence, effort, intention; earnestness, urgency," literally "a standing near," from instans (see instant).
In logic, "a fact, a case, an example" (a sense in English from early 15c.), from Medieval Latin instantia, which translated Greek enstasis. This led to for instance "as an example" (1650s), and the noun phrase give (someone) a for instance (1953, American English). The general sense "anything that illustrates a general type" was in use by 19c.
instance (v.)
"cite as an instance" (in the logical sense), c. 1600, from instance (n.). Middle English had a verb instauncen "to plead with, urge, entreat." Related: Instanced; instancing.
instant (adj.)
mid-15c., "now, present, of the moment, current," from Old French instant "near, imminent, immediate, at hand; urgent, assiduous" (14c.) and directly from Medieval Latin instantem (nominative instans), in classical Latin "present, pressing, urgent," literally "standing near," present participle of instare "to urge, to stand near, be present (to urge one's case)," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + stare "to stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm."
Sense of "immediate, done or occurring at once" is from 1590s. Of processed foods, by 1912; instant coffee is from 1915. Televised sports instant replay attested by 1965. Instant messaging attested by 1994.
The word was used 18c.-19c. in dating of correspondence, meaning "the current month," often abbreviated inst. Thus 16th inst. means "sixteenth of the current month" (compare proximo, ultimo).
instanter (adv.)
"instantly," 1680s, from Latin instanter "urgently, pressingly," in Medieval Latin, "presently, at once," from Latin instans "present, pressing, urgent," literally "standing near" (see instant (adj.)).
instant (n.)
late 14c., "moment in time, infinitely short space of time," from noun use of Old French instant "near, immediate, at hand; assiduous, urgent" (see instant (adj.)). Related: Instanted; instanting.
instantaneous (adj.)
1650s, from instant (n.) on model of spontaneous, etc. Related: Instantaneously (1640s); instantaneousness; instantaneity.
instantiate (v.)
"represent by an instance," 1946, from instance (Latin instantia) + -ate. Related: Instantiated; instantiation.
instantly (adv.)
late 15c., "urgently, persistently," from instant (adj.) + -ly (2). Meaning "immediately, without any intervening time" is 1550s.
instatement (n.)
"act of instating," 1670s, from instate + -ment.
instate (v.)
also enstate, "to put someone in a certain state or condition," c. 1600, from in + state (n.1). Related: Instated; instating.
instauration (n.)
"restoration, renewal," c. 1600, from Latin instaurationem (nominative instauratio) "a renewal," noun of action from past participle stem of instaurare "to set up, establish; renew, restore," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + -staurare (ending also found in restaurant), from PIE *stauro-, from root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm."
instead (adv.)
"in the place of," 1590s, contraction of Middle English prepositional phrase ine stede (early 13c.) from stead (n.) in the sense of "place assigned to one." The phrase is a loan-translation of Latin in loco (French en lieu de). Typically written as two words until mid-17c. To stand in stead of "stand in place of" is from c. 1500.
instellation (n.)
"a putting among the stars," 1795, from in- (2) "in" + noun of action from Latin stellare "to set with stars," from stella (from PIE root *ster- (2) "star"). Perhaps modeled on earlier French instellation.
instep (n.)
"arch of the foot," mid-15c., apparently from in + step, "though this hardly makes sense" [Weekley]. An Old English word for "instep" was fotwelm. Middle English had also a verb instep "to track, trace" (c. 1400). Old English instæpe (n.) meant "an entrance."
instigator (n.)
1590s, from Latin instigator "a stimulator," agent noun from instigare "urge on, incite" (see instigation). The classical Latin fem. form instigatrix is recorded in English from 1610s.
instigate (v.)
1540s, back-formation from instigation or else from Latin instigatus, past participle of instigare "to urge on, incite" (source also of French instiguer). Related: Instigated; instigates; instigating.
instigation (n.)
early 15c., instigaccioun, "urging, incitement; impelling force," from Old French instigacion "instigation," and directly from Latin instigationem (nominative instigatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of instigare "urge on, incite," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + *stigare, a root meaning "to prick," from PIE root *steig- "to prick, stick, pierce" (see stick (v.)).
instillation (n.)
1540s, from Latin instillationem (nominative instillatio) "a dropping in," noun of action from past participle stem of instillare "put in by drops; to drop, trickle," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + stilla "a drop" (see distill).
instinct (n.)
early 15c., "a prompting" (a sense now obsolete), from Old French instinct (14c.) or directly from Latin instinctus "instigation, impulse, inspiration," noun use of past participle of instinguere "to incite, impel," from in- "into, in, on, upon" (from PIE root *en "in") + stinguere "prick, goad," from PIE *steig- "to prick, stick, pierce" (see stick (v.)).
Meaning "animal faculty of intuitive perception" is from mid-15c., from notion of "natural prompting." General sense of "natural tendency" is first recorded 1560s.
instinctive (adj.)
1640s, from Latin instinct-, past participle stem of instinguere "to incite, impel" (see instinct) + -ive. Related: Instinctively (1610s); instinctiveness. Coleridge uses instinctivity.
instinctual (adj.)
1841, from instinct (Latin instinctus) + -al (1). Related: Instinctually.
institute (v.)
early 14c., "to establish in office, appoint," from Latin institutus, past participle of instituere "to set up, put in place; arrange; found, establish; appoint, designate; govern, administer; teach, instruct," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + statuere "establish, to cause to stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm." General sense of "set up, found, introduce" first attested late 15c. Related: Instituted; instituting.
institutional (adj.)
1610s, "of or pertaining to an institution," from institution + -al (1). Related: Institutionally.