Etymology dictionary

intimate (adj.) — invalid (n.)

intimate (adj.)

1630s, "closely acquainted, very familiar," also "inmost, intrinsic," from Late Latin intimatus, past participle of intimare "make known, announce, impress," from Latin intimus "inmost, innermost, deepest" (adj.), also used figuratively, of affections, feelings, and as a noun, "close friend."

This is a superlative of Latin in "in" (from PIE root *en "in," and compare in- (2)) with the superlative ending -timus (as in ultimus "last"), here denoting "close association with" (compare maritimus "of the sea").

Intimates (adj.) used euphemistically in reference to women's underwear is attested from 1904. Related: Intimately.

intimacy (n.)

1640s, from intimate (adj.) + abstract noun suffix -cy. The sense of "sexual intercourse" is attested from 1670s but its modern currency seems to be via euphemistic use in newspapers (by 1882).

intimidation (n.)

1650s, noun of action from intimidate; perhaps modeled on French intimidation (16c.).

intimidate (v.)

1640s, from Medieval Latin intimidatus, past participle of intimidare "to frighten, make afraid," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + Latin timidus "fearful" (see timid). Related: Intimidated; intimidating. The French verb was intimider (16c.).

intire (adj.)

obsolete form of entire. Related: Intirely.

into (prep.)

Old English into "into, to, against, in," originally in to. It emerged in late Old English to do the work of the dative case inflections, then fading, that formerly distinguished, for instance, the notion of "in the house" from that of "into the house." Compare onto, unto. To be into (something) "be intensely involved in or devoted to" recorded by 1967 in American English youth slang.

intolerability (n.)

1590s, from intolerable + -ity or else from Late Latin intolerabilitas, from Latin intolerabilis "that cannot bear; that cannot be borne." Slightly earlier in the same sense was intolerableness.

intolerant (adj.)

1735, "unable or unwilling to endure" (a condition, etc.), from Latin intolerantem (nominative intolerans) "not enduring, impatient, intolerant; intolerable," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + tolerans, present participle of tolerare "to bear, endure" (see toleration).

Meaning "not disposed to endure contrary opinions or beliefs, impatient of dissent or opposition" is from 1765. Of plants, with reference to deep shade, from 1898. The noun meaning "person or persons who do not favor toleration" is from 1765. Related: Intolerantly.

intolerable (adj.)

late 14c., from Latin intolerabilis "that cannot bear; that cannot be borne," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + tolerabilis "that may be endured," from tolerare "to bear, endure" (see toleration). Related: Intolerably.

intolerance (n.)

1765, "unwillingness to endure a differing opinion or belief," from Latin intolerantia "impatience; unendurableness, insufferableness; insolence," from intolerantem "impatient, intolerant" (see intolerant). There is an isolated use from c. 1500, with an apparent sense of "unwillingness." Especially of religious matters through mid-19c. Now-obsolete intolerancy was used in same sense from 1620s; intoleration from 1610s. Meaning "incapacity to bear or endure" is by 1844.

intonate (v.2)

"to thunder, rumble," 1620s, from past participle stem of Latin intonare "to thunder, thunder forth," from in- (from PIE root *en "in") + tonare "to thunder" (see thunder (n.)). Related: Intonated; intonating.

intone (v.2)

obsolete 17c.-18c. verb, from French entoner "thunder, roar, resound, reverberate," from Latin intonare "to thunder, resound," figuratively "to cry out vehemently," from tonare "to thunder" (see thunder (n.)). Related: Intoned; intoning.

intone (v.1)

late 14c., entunen "sing, chant, recite, vocalize," from Old French entoner "to sing, chant" (13c.), from Medieval Latin intonare "sing according to tone," from Latin in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + tonus "tone," from Greek tonos, from PIE root *ten- "to stretch." Related: Intoned; intoning.

intonate (v.1)

"to intone, recite in a singing voice," 1795, from Medieval Latin intonatus, past participle of intonare "sing according to tone" (see intone). Compare Italian intonare, French entonner. Related: Intonated; intonating.

intonation (n.)

1610s, "opening phrase of a melody," from French intonation (14c.), from Medieval Latin intonationem (nominative intonatio), noun of state from past participle stem of intonare (see intone). From 1788 as "action of intoning." Meaning "modulation of the voice in speaking, utterance of tones" is from 1791.

in totidem verbis

Latin phrase, "in just so many words," that is, "in these very words," from demonstrative of Latin totus "whole, entire" (see total (adj.)) + ablative plural of verbum "word" (see verb).

in toto (adv.)

Latin, "as a whole, wholly, completely, utterly, entirely," from toto, ablative of totus "whole, entire" (see total (adj.)); "always or nearly always with verbs of negative sense" [Fowler].

intoxication (n.)

c. 1400, intoxigacion "poisoning, administration of poison," from Medieval Latin intoxicationem (nominative intoxicatio) "a poisoning," noun of action from past participle stem of intoxicare "to poison" (see intoxicate). Meaning "state of inebriation" is from 1640s.

intoxicated (adj.)

1550s, "poisoned;" 1570s, "drunk," past-participle adjective from intoxicate (v.).

intoxicate (v.)

mid-15c., "to poison" (obsolete), from Medieval Latin intoxicatus, past participle of intoxicare "to poison," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + Latin toxicare "to poison," from toxicum "poison" (see toxic). Meaning "make drunk" first recorded 1570s (implied in intoxicated). Figurative sense "excite to a high pitch of feeling" is attested from 1590s. Related: Intoxicating.

intoxicant (n.)

"that which intoxicates," 1798; see intoxicate. Perhaps from Medieval Latin intoxicantem (nominative intoxicans), present participle of intoxicare. As an adjective from 1882.

intra-

word-forming element meaning "within, inside, on the inside," from Latin preposition intra "on the inside, within, in, into;" of time, "during, in the course of," related to inter "between," from PIE *en-t(e)ro-, from root *en "in." Commonly opposed to extra-, and compare inter-. The use of intra as a prefix was rare in classical Latin.

intra-cellular (adj.)

also intracellular, "existing or happening inside a cell," 1842; see intra- "within" + cellular.

intractability (n.)

1570s, from intractable + -ity. Intractableness is from 1660s.

intractable (adj.)

c. 1500, "rough, stormy;" 1540s, "not manageable," from French intractable (15c.) or directly from Latin intractabilis "not to be handled, unmanageable," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + tractabilis (see tractable). Related: Intractably.

intra-genic (adj.)

also intragenic, "occurring within a gene," 1937, from intra- "within" + gene + -ic.

intramercurial (adj.)

"being within the orbit of the planet Mercury," 1859, especially in reference to a supposed planet orbiting there (sought in vain in the eclipse of 1860), from intra- "within, inside" + Mercury (Latin Mercurius) + -al (1). The idea originated in France in the 1840s with Urbain Le Verrier, who later became director of the Paris Observatory. There was some excitement about it in 1859 when a French doctor named Lescarbault claimed to have tracked it crossing the Sun's disk and convinced Le Verrier. It was sought in vain in the solar eclipses of 1860, '68, and '69. See Vulcan.

intramural (adj.)

1846, "within the walls, being within the walls or boundaries" (of a city, building, etc.), from intra- "within" + Latin muralis "pertaining to a wall," from murus "wall" (see mural). Equivalent to Late Latin intramuranus. Originally in English in reference to burials of the dead; in reference to college activities from 1871 (first at Columbia).

intramuscular (adj.)

also intra-muscular, 1874, from intra- "within" + muscle (Latin musculus) + -ar.

intrans.

abbreviation of intransitive (adj.).

intransigent (adj.)

1874, "uncompromising, refusing to agree or come to understanding," (used of extreme political factions or parties), from French intransigeant (18c.), from Spanish los intransigentes, literally "those not coming to agreement," name for extreme left in the Spanish Cortes and the extreme republicans of the 1870s, from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + transigente "compromising," from Latin transigentem (nominative transigens), present participle of transigere "come to an agreement, accomplish, to carry through" (see transaction). It acquired its generalized sense in French. As a noun in English from 1879.

intransigence (n.)

1874, from intransigent or else from or based on French intransigeance, from intransigent. Related: Intransigency (1883).

in-transit (adj.)

1907, from commercial verbal phrase in transit "on the way or passage, while passing from one to another" (1819, earlier in Latin form in transitu), from in + transit (n.).

intransitive (adj.)

1610s, from Late Latin intransitivus "not transitive, not passing over" (to another person), Priscian's term, from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + Latin transitivus "that may pass over," from transire "to pass over" (see transitive). The noun meaning "an intransitive verb" is attested from 1824.

intranslatable (adj.)

1680s, from in- (1) "not, opposite of" + translate + -able. Related: Itranslatably; intranslatability.

intransmissible (adj.)

1650s, from in- (1) "not, opposite of" + transmissible. Related: Intransmissibly; intransmissibility.

intransmutable (adj.)

1690s, from in- (1) "not, opposite of" + transmute (v.) + -able). Related: Intransmutably; intransmutability.

intra-ocular (adj.)

also intraocular, 1826, from intra- + ocular.

intra-orbital (adj.)

also intraorbital, 1836, from intra- "within" + orbit (n.) + -al (1).

intra-ovarian (adj.)

1845; see intra- + ovarian.

intra-peritoneal (adj.)

also intraperitoneal, "within the cavity of the peritoeum," 1835, from intra- "within" + peritoneal (see peritoneum).

intra-personal (adj.)

also intrapersonal, 1853, from intra- "within" + personal.

intra-psychic (adj.)

also intrapsychic, 1902, from intra- "within" + psychic.

intraspecific (adj.)

1905, from intra- + specific, here representing species (n.).

intra-uterine (adj.)

also intrauterine, 1820; see intra- "within" + uterine.

intravenous (adj.)

"in or occurring within a vein," 1847, from intra- "within, inside" + Latin venous, from vena "vein" (see vein). Related: Intravenously.

intrench (v.)

obsolete form of entrench (q.v.). Related: Intrenched; intrenchment.

intrepid (adj.)

"unmoved by danger, undaunted," 1690s, from French intrépide (16c.) and directly from Latin intrepidus "unshaken, undaunted, not alarmed," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + trepidus "alarmed," from PIE *trep-(1) "to tremble" (see trepidation). Related: Intrepidly; intrepidness (1620s).

intrepidity (n.)

1640s, from intrepid (adj.) + -ity.

intricate (adj.)

early 15c., from Latin intricatus "entangled," past participle of intricare "to entangle, perplex, embarrass," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + tricae (plural) "perplexities, hindrances, toys, tricks," a word of uncertain origin (compare extricate). Related: Intricately; intricateness.

intricacy (n.)

c. 1600, "state of being complex;" 1610s, "an intricate situation or condition," from intricate (adj.) + -cy. Related: Intricacies.

intrigant (n.)

also intriguant, "man given to intrigue," 1781, from French intrigant "male intriguer," from Italian intrigante, noun use of present participle of intrigare "to plot, meddle" (see intrigue (v.)).

intrigante (n.)

also intriguante, "woman given to intrigue," 1806, from fem. of French intrigant "male intriguer," from Italian intrigante, noun use of present participle of intrigare "to plot, meddle" (see intrigue (v.)).

intriguing (adj.)

1680s, "plotting, scheming," present-participle adjective from intrigue (v.). Meaning "exciting curiosity" is from 1909. Related: Intriguingly.

intrigue (v.)

1610s, "to trick, deceive, cheat," from French intriguer (16c.), from Italian intrigare "to plot, meddle; perplex, puzzle," from Latin intricare "to entangle, perplex, embarrass" (see intricate).

Meaning "to plot or scheme" is recorded by 1714. That of "to excite curiosity" is from 1894 (OED calls this use "A modern gallicism"). It also could mean "carry on a clandestine or illicit sexual relationship" (1650s). The word appears earlier in English as entriken "entangle, ensnare; involve in perplexity, embarrass" (late 14c.), from Old French entrique or directly from the Latin verb. Related: Intrigued; intriguer; intriguing. Dutch intrigueren, German intriguiren are from French.

intrigue (n.)

1640s, "a clandestine plot;" 1660s, "secret plotting," probably from intrigue (v.). Also used from 1660s as "clandestine or illicit sexual encounter."

intrinsic (adj.)

late 15c., "interior, inward, internal," from Old French intrinsèque "inner" (14c.), from Medieval Latin intrinsecus "interior, internal," from Latin intrinsecus (adv.) "inwardly, on the inside," from intra "within" (see intra-) + secus "along, alongside," from PIE *sekw-os- "following," suffixed form of root *sekw- (1) "to follow."

The form in English was conformed to words in -ic by 18c. Meaning "belonging to the nature of a thing" is from 1640s. Related: Intrinsical; intrinsically.

intro-

word-forming element, from Latin intro (adv.) "in, on the inside, within, to the inside," from PIE *en-t(e)ro-, suffixed form of root *en "in."

intro (n.)

short for introduction, attested from 1923.

introduce (v.)

early 15c., "convey or bring (something) in or into," a back-formation from introduction or else from Latin introducere "to lead in, bring in," from intro- "inward, to the inside" (see intro-) + ducere "to lead" (from PIE root *deuk- "to lead").

Meaning "to bring forward, open to notice" (of a subject, etc.) is from 1550s. Sense of "bring into personal acquaintance, make known" (as of one person to another) is from 1650s. Related: Introduced; introducing.

introducer (n.)

1620s, agent noun from introduce (v.).

introduction (n.)

late 14c., "act of bringing into existence," from Old French introduccion (14c.) and directly from Latin introductionem (nominative introductio) "a leading in," noun of action from past-participle stem of introducere "to lead in, bring in; introduce; found, establish; bring forward (as an assertion)," from intro- "inward, to the inside" (see intro-) + ducere "to lead" (from PIE root *deuk- "to lead").

Meanings "initial instruction in a subject" and "an introductory statement" are from mid-15c.; meaning "elementary treatise on some subject" is from 1520s. The sense of "formal presentation of one person to another" is from 1711.

introductory (adj.)

c. 1600, from Late Latin introductorius, from introduct-, past participle stem of Latin introducere "to lead in, bring in" (see introduction). Also used in English from c. 1400 as a noun meaning "introductory treatise or textbook."

introit (n.)

in liturgics, "an antiphon sung as the priest approaches the altar to celebrate mass," late 15c., from Old French introite "(liturgical) introit; entrance" (14c.), from Latin (antiphona ad) introitum, from introitus "a going in, an entering, entrance; a beginning, prelude," past participle of introire "to enter," from intro- "on the inside, within" (see intro-) + ire "to go" (from PIE root *ei- "to go").

introjection (n.)

1856, in medicine, from intro- "on the inside, within" + stem abstracted from projection, interjection. In philosophical (1892) and psychoanalytical (1911) uses, from German introjektion; in the former sense the coinage is credited to Swiss-German philosopher Richard Avenarius (1843-1896), in the latter Sándor Ferenczi (1873-1933).

introject (v.)

1902 in psychology, probably a back-formation from introjection. Related: Introjected; introjecting.

intron (n.)

1978 in genetics, from intra-genic "occurring within a gene" + -on.

introrse (adj.)

"turned or facing inward," 1831 (earlier in French), from Latin introrsus (adv.) "toward the inside," a contraction of introversus, from intro "within" (see intro-) + versus "turned," past participle of vertere "to turn," from PIE root *wer- (2) "to turn, bend."

introspection (n.)

1670s, "action of closely inspecting or examining," noun of action from past participle stem of Latin introspicere "to look into, look at, examine, observe attentively," from intro- "inward" (see intro-) + specere "to look at" (from PIE root *spek- "to observe"). Meaning "action of searching one's feelings or thoughts" is from 1807.

introspective (adj.)

"having the quality of looking within," 1820 (Southey), from Latin introspect-, past participle stem of introspicere "look into, look at" (see introspection) + -ive. Related: Introspectively; introspectiveness.

introspect (v.)

1680s, "to look into" (transitive), from Latin introspectus, past participle of introspicere "look at, look into; examine, observe attentively," from intro- "inward" (see intro-) + specere "to look at" (from PIE root *spek- "to observe"). Meaning "look within, search one's feelings or thoughts" is from 1875, a back-formation from introspection. Related: Introspected; introspecting.

introversion (n.)

1650s, "action of turning inward" (of thought or contemplation), from Modern Latin introversionem, noun of action from past participle stem of *introvertere (see introvert (v.)). Psychological meaning "tendency to withdraw from the world" is from 1912.

introverted (adj.)

1781, "directed inward" (of the mind, etc.), past-participle adjective from introvert (v.). Psychological sense is from 1915. Other adjectives in the non-psychological sense were introversive (1820), introvertive (1846), introverse (1874).

introvert (v.)

"turn within, direct inward," 1650s, from Latin intro "inward, within" (see intro-) + vertere "to turn" (from PIE root *wer- (2) "to turn, bend").

introvert (n.)

1878, in zoology, "part or organ which is turned in upon itself," from introvert (v.). The psychological sense "introverted person" (opposed to extrovert) is 1917, from German, introduced there by C.G. Jung (1875-1961).

intrude (v.)

early 15c., in an ecclesiastical sense, "take possession of (a prebend) not rightfully one's own," a back-formation from intrusion, or else from Latin intrudere "to thrust in, force in," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + trudere "to thrust, push," from PIE *treud- "to press, push, squeeze" (see threat).

From 1560s in a physical sense of "thrust in" (transitive or intransitive); meaning "enter unbidden and without welcome" is from 1570s; that of "thrust or bring in without necessity or right" is from 1580s. Related: Intruded; intruding.

intruder (n.)

1530s, agent noun from intrude. Originally legal. Fuller ("Pisgah-Sight of Palestine," 1650) has fem. form intrudress.

intrusive (adj.)

c. 1400, "usurping," from Latin intrus-, past participle stem of intrudere (see intrusion) + -ive. Meaning "coming unbidden" is from 1640s. Geological sense "thrust in out of regular place" is from 1826. Related: Intrusively; intrusiveness.

intrusion (n.)

late 14c., "unjust invasion of property or usurpation of office," from Old French intrusion (14c.), from Medieval Latin intrusionem (nominative intrusio) "a thrusting in," noun of action from past participle stem of Latin intrudere "to thrust in, force in," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + trudere "to thrust, push," from PIE *treud- "to press, push, squeeze" (see threat).

Meaning "a thrusting or pushing in" is from 1590s; that of "act of intruding" is from 1630s. Geological sense is from 1816.

intrust (v.)

obsolete form of entrust (q.v.). Related: Intrusted; intrusting.

intubate (v.)

1610s, "to form into tubes," from in- (2) "in" + Latin tuba "tube" (see tuba) + -ate (2). Medical sense is from 1887. Related: Intubated. Intubation "act of inserting a tube" (into an orifice) is from 1885.

intuit (v.)

1776, "to tutor," from Latin intuit-, past participle stem of intueri "look at, consider," from in- "at, on" (from PIE root *en "in") + tueri "to look at, watch over" (see tutor (n.)). Meaning "to perceive directly without reasoning, know by immediate perception" is from 1840 (De Quincey), in this sense perhaps a back-formation from intuition. Related: Intuited; intuiting.

intuition (n.)

mid-15c., intuicioun, "insight, direct or immediate cognition, spiritual perception," originally theological, from Late Latin intuitionem (nominative intuitio) "a looking at, consideration," noun of action from past participle stem of Latin intueri "look at, consider," from in- "at, on" (from PIE root *en "in") + tueri "to look at, watch over" (see tutor (n.)).

intuitive (adj.)

1640s, "perceiving directly and immediately," from French intuitif or directly from Medieval Latin intuitivus, from intuit-, past-participle stem of Latin intueri "look at, consider," from in- "into" (from PIE root *en "in") + tueri "to look at, watch over," a word of uncertain origin. Meaning "self-evident" is from 1833. Related: Intuitively; intuitiveness.

intumescent (adj.)

"swelling up," 1796, from Latin intumescentem (nominative intumescens), present participle of intumescere "to swell up, rise, be elevated," of sounds, "grow louder," figuratively, "grow excited, become enraged," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + tumescere "begin to swell, swell up," figuratively "grow excited, become enraged," inceptive of tumere "to swell" (from PIE root *teue- "to swell"), with inchoative suffix -escere.

intumescence (n.)

"swollen state, expansion," 1650s, from French intumescence (17c.), from Latin intumescere "to swell up, rise, be elevated," of sounds, "grow louder," figuratively, "grow excited, become enraged," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + tumescere "begin to swell, swell up," figuratively "grow excited, become enraged," inceptive of tumere "to swell" (from PIE root *teue- "to swell"), with inchoative suffix -escere.

inturned (adj.)

"turned inward," 1843, from in (adv.) + past participle of turn (v.).

inturn (n.)

1590s, "turning in of the toes" (especially in dancing), from in + turn. In wrestling, "a lifting with the thigh" (c. 1600).

intussusception (n.)

"reception of one part within another," 1707, literally "a taking in," from Latin intus "within" (see ento-) + susceptionem (nominative susceptio) "a taking up, a taking in hand, undertaking," noun of action from past participle stem of suscipere "to take, catch, take up, lift up" (see susceptible).

inundate (v.)

1620s, back-formation from inundation, or else from Latin inundatus, past participle of inundare "to overflow, run over" (source also of Spanish inundar, French inonder). Related: Inundated; inundating.

inundation (n.)

"an overflowing, a flood," early 15c., from Latin inundationem (nominative inundatio) "an overflowing," noun of action from past-participle stem of inundare "to overflow," from in- "onto" (from PIE root *en "in") + undare "to flow," from unda "a wave," from PIE *unda-, nasalized form of root *wed- (1) "water; wet."

inure (v.)

formerly also enure, mid-15c., "accustom, adapt, establish by use," contracted from phrase (put) in ure "(put) in practice" (attested by early 15c.), from obsolete noun ure "work, practice, exercise, use," which is probably from Old French uevre, oeuvre "work," from Latin opera "work" (from PIE root *op- "to work, produce in abundance"). The meaning "toughen or harden by experience" is attested from late 15c. Related: Inured; inuring.

inurbane (adj.)

c. 1600, from Latin inurbanus "not civil or polite," from in- "not" (see in- (1) + urbanus "refined, courteous," literally "of a city" (see urban (adj.)). Related: Inurbanity.

in utero

1713, Latin, literally "in the uterus," from ablative of uterus (see uterus).

inutile (adj.)

late 15c., "unprofitable, useless," from French inutile (12c., inutele), from Latin inutilis "useless, unprofitable," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + utilis "useful, beneficial, profitable," from uti "make use of, profit by, take advantage of" (see use (v.)). It appears to have fallen from use by 1700; modern use (from mid-19c.) is perhaps a reborrowing from French.

inutility (n.)

"quality of being useless or unprofitable," 1590s, from French inutilité (15c.), from Latin inutilitas "uselessness," from inutilis "useless, unprofitable," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + utilis "useful, beneficial, profitable," from uti "make use of, profit by, take advantage of" (see use (v.)).

invade (v.)

"enter in a hostile manner," late 15c., from Latin invadere "to go, come, or get into; enter violently, penetrate into as an enemy, assail, assault, make an attack on," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + vadere "go, walk" (see vamoose). Compare evade. Related: invaded; invading.