Etymology dictionary
irreverent (adj.) — it (pron.)
irreverent (adj.)
"deficient in veneration or respect," mid-15c., from Old French irreverent or directly from Latin irreverentem "disrespectful, irreverent" (see irreverence). Related: Irreverently (early 15c.); irreverential. Irreverend (late 15c.) means "not worthy of respect or veneration."
irreversible (adj.)
1620s, of decrees, etc., "that cannot be overturned or undone," from assimilated form of in- (1) "not, opposite of" + reversible. Of physical things, "that cannot be turned the other way," from 1821. Related: Irreversibly.
irrevocable (adj.)
also irrevokable, late 14c., from Latin irrevocabilis "that cannot be recalled, unalterable," from assimilated form of in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + revocabilis (see revoke). Related: Irrevocably.
irrigate (v.)
"supply land with water," 1610s, from Latin irrigatus, past participle of irrigare "lead water to, refresh, irrigate, flood," from assimilated form of in- "into, in, on, upon" (from PIE root *en "in") + rigare "to water, to moisten," of uncertain origin. Perhaps [Watkins] from PIE *reg- (2) "moist" (see rain (n.)). De Vaan offers as possibilities the root of regere "to direct, lead," on the notion of leading water onto the fields, or to the root of rigere "be stiff," literally "stretch." The first better suits the sense, but has phonetic problems.
Related: Irrigated; irrigating. In Middle English it was an adjective, "watered, flooded" (mid-15c.). Other adjectival forms have been irriguous (1650s), irrigative (1842), irrigatorial (1867).
irrigation (n.)
1610s, "a supplying of water to land," also in medical use, "supply of a liquid to some part of the body," from Latin irrigationem (nominative irrigatio) "a watering, irrigation," noun of action from past participle stem of irrigare "lead water to, irrigate, flood" (see irrigate).
irrigable (adj.)
1813, from Latin stem of irrigate (v.) + -able.
irrisory (adj.)
"given to sneering or laughing derisively at others," 1824, from Late Latin irrisorius "mocking," from irrisor "a mocker," from stem of Latin irridere "to laugh at, make fun of," from assimilated form of in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + ridere "to laugh" (see risible). Related: irrision (1520s), from Latin irrisionem, noun of action from the verb.
irritable (adj.)
1660s, "susceptible to mental irritation," from French irritable and directly from Latin irritabilis "easily excited," from irritare "excite, provoke" (see irritate). Meaning "responding quickly to a stimulus" is from 1791. Related: Irritably.
irritate (v.)
1530s, "stimulate to action, rouse, incite," from Latin irritatus, past participle of irritare "excite, provoke, annoy;" according to de Vaan, probably a verb from Proto-Italic *rito- "stirred," from the same PIE root that produced English run (v.). Meaning "annoy, make impatient" in English is from 1590s. The earlier verb in English was irrite (mid-15c.), from Old French irriter. Related: Irritated; irritating.
irritability (n.)
1755, from irritable + -ity or else from Latin irribilitas.
irritation (n.)
early 15c., irritacioun, in physiology, in reference to sores and morbid swelling, from Old French irritacion or directly from Latin irritationem (nominative irritatio) "incitement, stimulus; irritation, wrath, anger," noun of action from past-participle stem of irritare "to excite, provoke" (see irritate). Meaning "impatient or angry excitement" is from 1703.
irritant (adj.)
1630s, from Latin irritantem (nominative irritans), present participle of irritare "to excite, provoke" (see irritate). As a noun, "that which irritates," from 1802.
irritating (adj.)
"that causes annoyance," 1707, present-participle adjective from irritate (v.). Related: Irritatingly. Earlier adjective forms were irritative (1680s), irritatory (1650s).
irrumation (n.)
"a putting of the erect penis in the mouth of another," 1866, from past participle stem of Latin irrumare, literally "to give to suck" (originally of the breast), from in- "in" + ruma "teat, female breast." Related: Irrumate (v.); irrumator.
irrupt (v.)
"to break into," 1805 (implied in irrupted), back-formation from irruption or else from Latin irruptus, past participle of irrumpere "to break in, burst into."
irruption (n.)
1570s, from French irruption (14c.) or directly from Latin irruptionem (nominative irruptio) "a breaking in, bursting in, invasion," noun of action from past-participle stem of irrumpere "to break in, force one's way in, burst into," from assimilated form of in- "into, in, on, upon" (from PIE root *en "in") + rumpere (see rupture (n.)). Frequently confused with eruption.
Irwin
masc. proper name, Old English Eoforwine "boar-friend;" often confused with Irving, Irvin, which are from Irvine, Ayrshire, or Irving, Dumfries.
-ise
see -ize.
is (v.)
third person singular present indicative of be, Old English is, from Germanic stem *es- (source also of Old High German, German, Gothic ist, Old Norse es, er), from PIE *es-ti- (source also of Sanskrit asti, Greek esti, Latin est, Lithuanian esti, Old Church Slavonic jesti), third person singular form of root *es- "to be." Old English lost the final -t-.
Until 1500s, pronounced to rhyme with kiss. Dialectal use for all persons (I is) is in Chaucer. Phrase it is what it is, indicating resigned acceptance of an unpleasant but inevitable situation or circumstance about which nothing truly positive can be said, is attested by 2001.
I'se
1847 in representations of African-American vernacular, a contraction of I is (see is), irregular for I am. In Scottish and northern English, a colloquial or dialectal contraction of I shall (1796).
isness (n.)
"essence," 1865, in a translation of Hegel, from is + -ness.
Isaac
masc. proper name, name of a biblical patriarch, from Late Latin, from Greek Isaak, from Hebrew Yitzhaq, literally "he laughs," imperf. of tzahaq "he laughed."
Isabel
fem. proper name, a form of Elizabeth that seems to have developed in Provence. A popular English name in the Middle Ages; pet forms included Ibb, Libbe, Nibb, Tibb, Bibby, and Ellice. The Spanish form was Isabella, which is attested as a color name ("greyish-yellow") in English from c. 1600; the Isabella who gave her name to it has not been identified, and the usual stories are too late for the date. Related: Isabelline (adj.).
isagoge (n.)
1650s, from Latin isagoge, from Greek eisagoge "an introduction (into court), importation (of goods)," from eis "into" + agoge "a leading," from agein "to lead" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move"). Related: Isagogic; isagogical (1520s); Isagogics.
Isaiah
masc. proper name, name of a biblical prophet and of the book credited to him, from Hebrew Yesha'yah, abbreviated form of Yesha'yahu, literally "salvation of the Lord," from yesha, yeshua "salvation, deliverance." Related: Isaian
ISBN
1969, acronym for International Standard Book Number.
Iscariot
surname of Judas, betrayer of Jesus, in New Testament, from Latin Iscariota, from Greek Iskariotes, said to be from Hebrew ishq'riyoth "man of Kerioth" (a place in Palestine). In English from 1640s as a noun meaning "traitor." Related: Iscariotical.
ischemia (n.)
also ischaemia, 1866 (but as far back as 1660s in form ischaimes), from medical Latin ischaemia, from ischaemus "stopping blood," from Greek iskhaimos "stanching or stopping blood," from iskhein "to hold, curb, keep back, restrain" (from PIE *si-sgh-, reduplication of root *segh- "to hold" (from PIE root *segh- "to hold") + haima "blood" (see -emia). Related: Ischemic.
ischium (n.)
"the seat bone," 1640s, from Latin, from Greek iskhion "hip joint," in plural, "the hips," probably from iskhi "loin," a word of unknown origin. Related: Ischiatic.
Isegrim
name of the wolf in Reynard and other beast-fables, from isen "iron" (see iron (n.)) + grima "mask, hood, helmet" (see grimace (n.)). In German, Isegrimm, Isengrimm.
-ish
adjectival word-forming element, Old English -isc "of the nativity or country of," in later use "of the nature or character of," from Proto-Germanic suffix *-iska- (cognates: Old Saxon -isk, Old Frisian -sk, Old Norse -iskr, Swedish and Danish -sk, Dutch -sch, Old High German -isc, German -isch, Gothic -isks), cognate with Greek diminutive suffix -iskos. In its oldest forms with altered stem vowel (French, Welsh). The Germanic suffix was borrowed into Italian and Spanish (-esco) and French (-esque). Colloquially attached to hours to denote approximation, 1916.
The -ish in verbs (abolish, establish, finish, punish, etc.) is a mere terminal relic from the Old French present participle.
Ishihara
popular type of colorblindness test, 1924, from Japanese ophthalmologist Shinobu Ishihara (1879-1963), who devised it in 1917.
ish kabibble
slang phrase meaning, more or less, "I don't care, I don't worry," 1913, of unknown origin, but perhaps derived from Yiddish nisht gefidlt. Said to have been popularized by comedienne Fanny Brice (1891-1951), but earliest references do not mention her.
Ishmael
masc. proper name, biblical son of Abraham and Hagar, driven into the wilderness with his mother, from Hebrew Yishma'el, literally "God hears," from yishma, imperfective of shama "he heard." The Arabs claim descent from him. Figurative sense of "an outcast," "whose hand is against every man, and every man's hand against him" is from Genesis xvi.12. Related: Ishmaelite.
Ishtar
ancient Sumero-Babylonian goddess of love and fertility, counterpart of Phoenician Astarte (q.v.), from Akkadian Ishtar.
Isis
Egyptian goddess, from Greek Isis, from Egyptian Hes, female deity identified by the Greeks with Io. She is distinguished in visual representations by the solar disc and cow horns on her head.
Isidore
masc. proper name, from French, from Latin Isidorus, from Greek Isidoros, literally "gift of Isis," from Isis (see Isis) + dōron "gift" (from PIE root *do- "to give"). St. Isidore, archbishop of Seville (600-636) wrote important historical, etymological, and ecclesiastical works and in 2001 was named patron saint of computers, computer users, and the internet. Related: Isidorian.
isinglass (n.)
purest commercial form of gelatin, 1520s, apparently a perversion of Dutch huysenblas, literally "sturgeon bladder," from huysen "sturgeon" + blas "bladder," from Proto-Germanic *bles-, according to Watkins an extended form of PIE root *bhle- "to blow." So called because the substance was obtained from the air-bladders of certain freshwater fishes.
isle (n.)
late 13c., ile, from Old French ile, earlier isle, from Latin insula "island," a word of uncertain origin.
Perhaps (as the Ancients guessed) from in salo "(that which is) in the (salty) sea," from ablative of salum "the open sea," related to sal "salt" (see salt (n.)). De Vaan finds this "theoretically possible as far as the phonetics go, but being 'in the sea' is not a very precise description of what an island is; furthermore, the Indo-Europeans seem to have indicated with 'island' mainly 'river islands.' ... Since no other etymology is obvious, it may well be a loanword from an unknown language." He proposes the same lost word as the source of Old Irish inis, Welsh ynys "island" and Greek nēsos "island." The -s- was restored first in French, then in English in the late 1500s.
Islam (n.)
"religious system revealed by Muhammad," 1816, from Arabic islam, literally "submission" (to the will of God), from root of aslama "he resigned, he surrendered, he submitted," causative conjunction of salima "he was safe," and related to salam "peace."
Earlier English names for the faith include Mahometry (late 15c.), Muhammadism (1610s), Islamism (1747), and Ismaelism (c. 1600; see Ismailite). The Ismailites were not numerous in Islam, but among them were the powerful Fatimid dynasty in Egypt and the Assassins, both of which loomed large in European imagination. This use also is in part from Ishmaelite, a name formerly given (especially by Jews) to Arabs, as descendants of Ishmael (q.v.).
Islamic (adj.)
"pertaining to Islam," 1791, from Islam + -ic.
Islamist (n.)
1850, "a Muslim," from Islam + -ist. Later also "scholar of Islamic studies." By 1962 specifically as "strict fundamentalist Sunni Muslim." Islamism is attested from 1747 as "the religion of the Muslims, Islam." Islamite "a Muslim" is from 1786 (1768 as an adjective); Islamize/Islamise (v.) is from 1849.
Islamophobia (n.)
"hostility or discrimination against Muslims," supposedly rooted in dread or hatred of Islam, by 1996, from Islam + -phobia, as used in Judaeophobia, Francophobia, etc. Related: Islamophobic; Islamophobe.
The related words have been in occasional use for more than a century, however. Islamophobe is attested in 1877 in English and by 1914 in French.
island (n.)
1590s, earlier yland (c. 1300), from Old English igland, iegland "an island," from ieg "island" (from Proto-Germanic *awjo "thing on the water," from PIE root *akwa- "water") + land (n.).
The spelling of the first syllable was modified from 16c. by association with similar but unrelated isle. The second syllable was added to distinguish it from homonyms, especially Old English ea "water" (see ea). Similar formation are in Old Frisian eiland, Middle Dutch eyland, German Eiland, Danish öland, etc.
In place names, Old English ieg is often used of "slightly raised dry ground offering settlement sites in areas surrounded by marsh or subject to flooding" [Cambridge Dictionary of English Place-Names], as probably in Isle of Ely. Old English had ealand "river-land, watered place, meadow by a river."
As an adjective from 1620s. Island universe "solar system" (1846) translates German Weltinsel (von Humboldt, 1845). Related: Islander.
islander (n.)
"native or inhabitant of an island," 1540s, from island (n.) + -er (1).
islet (n.)
1530s, from French islette (Modern French îlette), diminutive of isle (see isle).
-ism
word-forming element making nouns implying a practice, system, doctrine, etc., from French -isme or directly from Latin -isma, -ismus (source also of Italian, Spanish -ismo, Dutch, German -ismus), from Greek -ismos, noun ending signifying the practice or teaching of a thing, from the stem of verbs in -izein, a verb-forming element denoting the doing of the noun or adjective to which it is attached. For distinction of use, see -ity. The related Greek suffix -isma(t)- affects some forms.
ism (n.)
"distinctive doctrine, theory, or practice," 1670s, the suffix -ism used as an independent word, chiefly disparagingly. Related: Ismatical. By the same path, ist is from 1811.
Ismailite (n.)
also Ismaelite, 1570s, in reference to a Shi'ite Muslim sect, from Arabic Isma'iliy, the name of the sect that after 765 C.E. followed the Imamship through descendants of Ismail (Arabic for Ishmael), deceased eldest son of Jafar, the sixth Imam, rather than his surviving younger son.
iso-
before vowels often is-, word-forming element meaning "equal, similar, identical; isometric," from Greek isos "equal to, the same as; equally divided; fair, impartial (of persons); even, level (of ground)," as in isometor "like one's mother." In English used properly only with words of Greek origin; the Latin equivalent is equi- (see equi-).
isobar (n.)
1864, coined from Greek isos "equal" (see iso-) + baros "weight" (from PIE root *gwere- (1) "heavy"). Line connecting places with the same barometric pressure at the same time. Related: Isobaric.
isocephalic (adj.)
"having the heads of the principal figures at about the same level," 1893, from Greek isokephalos "like-headed," from isos "equal" (see iso-) + kephalē "head" (see cephalo-). The rule or principle of ancient Greek art that makes figures standing and on horseback have heads carved on nearly the same level.
isochromatic (adj.)
"having the same color," 1817, from iso- "equal, the same" + stem of chroma + -ic.
isochronous (adj.)
"uniform in time, of equal time, performed in equal times," 1706, with suffix -ous, from Modern Latin isochronus, from Greek isokhronos "equal in age or time," from iso- "equal" (see iso-) + khronos "time" (see chrono-). Earlier in same sense was isochronal (1670s).
isocracy (n.)
"equal power," 1650s, from Greek isokratia "equality of political rights," from isokrates "of equal power, possessing equal rights with (others)," from isos "equal" (see iso-) + -kratia "power, rule, authority" (see -cracy). Related: Isocratic.
isodynamic (adj.)
"having equal power or force," 1827, from iso- "the same, equal" + dynamic (adj.).
isogenous (adj.)
"having the same or similar origin," 1856; see iso- "the same, equal" + -genous.
isogloss (n.)
1925, from German Isogloss (1892); see iso- + gloss (n.2).
isokinetic (adj.)
isolable (adj.)
1832, from isolate (v.) + -able on model of violate/violable, etc. Isolatable is recorded from 1870.
isolated (adj.)
"standing detached from others of its kind," 1740, a rendering into English of French isolé "isolated" (17c.), from Italian isolato, from Latin insulatus "made into an island," from insula "island" (see isle (n.)). English at first used the French word (isole, also isole'd, c. 1750), then after isolate (v.) became an English word, isolated became its past participle.
isolate (v.)
"to set or place apart, to detach so as to make alone," by 1786, a back-formation from isolated (q.v.).
As a noun, "something isolated," 1890; from earlier adjectival use (1819), which is from Italian isolato or Medieval Latin insulatus.
isolation (n.)
1800, noun of action from isolate (v.) or else from French isolation, noun of action from isoler (see isolated).
isolationist (n.)
1899 in reference to U.S. foreign policy, "one who advocates a policy of non-participation in foreign affairs" (earlier in reference to treatment of leprosy), from isolation + -ist. As an adjective from 1920. Isolationism is attested in a general sense by 1902; in a U.S. geopolitical sense by 1919 in reference to opposition to joining the League of Nations.
Isold
fem. proper name, French Isolt, Iseut, of Germanic origin, literally "ice-rule," from Proto-Germanic *is "ice" (see ice (n.)) + *waldan "to rule" (from PIE root *wal- "to be strong").
isomer (n.)
1852, in chemistry, back-formation from isomeric. A compound identical or nearly so in composition and molecular weight with another, but having different properties.
isomeric (adj.)
"pertaining to or characterized by isomerism," 1831, from German isomerisch (Berzelius, 1831, in a paper on the "Composition of the Tartaric and Paratartaric Racemic Acids"), from Greek isomeres "sharing equality, having equal parts or shares," from iso- "equal" (see iso-) + meros "part, share" (from PIE root *(s)mer- (2) "to get a share of something"). Isomerous is from 1845 in botany, 1840 in chemistry.
isometric (adj.)
1838, literally "of the same measure," from iso- "the same, equal" + -metric. The components are Greek: isos "equal, identical" + metron "a measure." Originally a method of using perspective in drawing; later in reference to crystals. The physiological sense relating to muscular action is from 1889, from German isometrisch in this sense (1882).
isometrics (n.)
as a type of exercise, 1962, American English, from isometric; also see -ics.
isometry (n.)
in mathematics, 1941, probably from isometric (q.v.) on the model of geometry/geometric.
isomorphic (adj.)
"the same in form, alike," 1862 [Robert Gordon Latham, "Elements of Comparative Philology"], from iso- "equal, identical" + -morphic, from Greek morphē "form, shape," a word of uncertain etymology. Earlier adjective was isomorphous (1821).
isomorphism (n.)
"similarity of form," 1822, in John George Children's translation from French of Berzelius's "The Use of the Blow-pipe in Chemical Analysis," from French l'isomorphisme, from German Isomorphismus (1819), coined by German chemist Eilhard Mitscherlich (1794-1863) from Greek isos "equal, identical" (see iso-) + morphe "form, appearance," a word of uncertain etymology.
isomorph (n.)
"that which has the same form as another but belongs to a different group," 1850 of mineral substances; 1885 in zoology, probably a back-formation from isomorphism (q.v.), but used earlier in German (1821)..
isonomia (n.)
"equality before the law," c. 1600, from Italian or Latin, ultimately from Greek isonomia "equality of rights, the equality of a Greek democracy," from isos "equal, identical" (see iso-) + nomos "law" (see -nomy). Related: Isonomic (1851), which appears to be a separate formation in geology. Greek also had isoteleia in reference to an equality before the law sometimes granted to aliens in Athens, "equality of tax and tribute."
isopod (n.)
"animal with legs equal in size and position," 1835, from French isopode, from Latin isopoda (neuter plural), from Greek iso- "equal, identical" (see iso-) + pod-, stem of pous "foot" (from PIE root *ped- "foot").
isopolity (n.)
"equality of citizenship rights between different states," 1827, in reference to ancient Rome, from iso- "equal, identical" + polity.
isosceles (adj.)
"having two equal sides," 1550s, from Late Latin isosceles, from Greek isoskeles "with equal legs; isosceles; that can be divided into two equal parts," from isos "equal, identical" (see iso-) + skelos "leg," from PIE *skel-es-, from root *skel- "bend, curve" (see scoliosis).
isostasy (n.)
"equilibrium from equality of pressure," 1889 (C.E. Dutton), from iso- + Greek stasis "setting, weighing, standing" (see stasis). Greek isostasios meant "in equipoise with, equivalent to."
isostatic (adj.)
"in equilibrium from equality of pressure," 1889, from isostasy + -ic.
isotherm (n.)
"line connecting points on the earth having the same mean temperature," 1850, from French isotherme (von Humboldt, 1817), from Greek isos "equal, identical" (see iso-) + therme "heat" (see thermal (adj.)).
isothermal (adj.)
1816, literally "of equal heat," from French isotherme (see isotherm) + -al (1). As a noun, "isothermal line," from 1849.
isotonic (adj.)
"having or indicating equal tones," 1776, from Greek isotonos "of level pitch; equally stretched," from iso- "equal, identical" (see iso-) + tonos "tone," from PIE root *ten- "to stretch."
isotope (n.)
1913, literally "having the same place," from Greek isos "equal" (see iso-) + topos "place" (see topos); so called because, despite having different atomic weights, the various forms of an element occupy the same place on the periodic table. Introduced by British chemist Frederick Soddy (1877-1956) on suggestion of his friend, the Scottish writer and doctor Margaret Todd (c. 1859-1918). Related: Isotopic.
isotropic (adj.)
"having the same properties in all directions," 1856, from iso- + -tropic, from Greek tropikos "belonging to a turning," from tropos "a turning, way, manner," from trepein "to turn" (from PIE root *trep- "to turn"). Isotropous is from 1859.
Israeli (n.)
"citizen of the state of Israel," 1948, from Israel + Hebrew national designation suffix -i. Also used in English as the adjective (1948). It distinguishes the citizens of the modern state from the ancient people who had been known in English since 14c. as Israelites (see Israelite).
Israel
Old English Israel, "the Jewish people, the Hebrew nation," from Latin Israel, from Greek, from Hebrew yisra'el "he that striveth with God" (Genesis xxxii.28), symbolic proper name conferred on Jacob and extended to his descendants, from sara "he fought, contended" + El "God." As the name of an independent Jewish state in the Middle East, it is attested from 1948. Compare Israeli, Israelite.
Israelite (n.)
mid-14c., "a Jew; one of the people of ancient Israel, a descendant of Israel or Jacob," from Latin israelita, from Greek Israelites, from Israel (see Israel). The Middle English adjective was Israelish (Old English Israelisc), sometimes Israelitish (Coverdale, 1530s); Israelitic (c. 1600, from Late Latin Israeliticus).
Issachar
son of Jacob by Leah (Old Testament) and name of a biblical tribe of Israel, from Greek issakhar, from Hebrew Yissakhar, probably [Klein] from Hebrew yesh sakhar "there is a reward" (see Genesis xxx.18).
Issei (n.)
c. 1930s, collective term used among Japanese in U.S. for first-generation immigrants, in Japanese literally "first generation," related to ichi "one."
issue (n.)
c. 1300, "an exit," from Old French issue "a way out, a going out, exit; final event," from fem. past participle of issir "to go out," from Latin exire "go out, go forth; become public; flow, gush, pour forth" (source also of Italian uscire, Catalan exir), from ex- "out" (see ex-) + ire "to go," from PIE root *ei- "to go."
Meaning "discharge of blood or other fluid from the body" is from 1520s; sense of "offspring, children" is from late 14c. Meaning "outcome of an action, consequence, result" is attested from late 14c., probably from this sense in French. Meaning "action of sending into publication or circulation" is from 1833.
Legal sense developed from the notion of "end or result of pleadings in a suit (by presentation of the point to be determined by trial)," hence "the controversy over facts in a trial" (early 14c., Anglo-French) and transferred sense "point of contention between two parties" (early 15c.) and the general sense "an important point to be decided" (1836). Hence also the verbal phrase take issue with (1797, earlier join issue, 1690s) "take up an affirmative or negative position in a dispute with another." To have issues "have unresolved conflicts" is by 1990.
issue (v.)
mid-14c., of water, etc., "to flow out;" of persons, "come or go (out of a place), sally forth," from issue (n.) or else from Old French issu, past participle of issir. Transitive sense of "to send out" is from mid-15c.; specific sense of "to send out authoritatively" is from c. 1600. Meaning "supply (someone with something)" is from 1925. Related: Issued; issuing.
issuable (adj.)
1560s, from issue (v.) + -able. Related: Issuably.
issuance (n.)
"act of issuing," 1823, American English, from issue (v.) + -ance.
-ist
word-forming element meaning "one who does or makes," also used to indicate adherence to a certain doctrine or custom, from French -iste and directly from Latin -ista (source also of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian -ista), from Greek agent-noun ending -istes, which is from -is-, ending of the stem of verbs in -izein, + agential suffix -tes.
Variant -ister (as in chorister, barrister) is from Old French -istre, on false analogy of ministre. Variant -ista is from Spanish, popularized in American English 1970s by names of Latin-American revolutionary movements.
Istanbul
Turkish name of Constantinople; it developed in Turkish 16c. as a corruption of Greek phrase eis tan (ten) polin "in (or to) the city," which is how the local Greek population referred to it. Turkish folk etymology traces the name to Islam bol "plenty of Islam." Greek polis "city" has been adopted into Turkish as a place-name suffix -bolu.
isthmian (adj.)
c. 1600, from Latin isthmius, from Greek isthmios "pertaining to the isthmus (of Corinth)," from isthmos (see isthmus). Originally in reference to the Isthmian Games, held at Corinth in honor of Poseidon.
isthmus (n.)
1550s, from Latin isthmus, from Greek isthmos "narrow passage, narrow neck of land between two seas," originally especially that of Corinth, a word of unknown origin. Perhaps from eimi "to go" + suffix -thmo (compare ithma "a step, movement"). An attempt at nativizing the word yielded strictland (1570s, quoted in Holinshed).
-istic
adjectival word-forming element, from French -istique or directly from Latin -isticus, from Greek -istikos, a compound of the adjectival suffix -ikos (see -ic) + the noun suffix -istes (see -ist).
Istria
peninsula near the head of the Adriatic Sea, Latin Istria, from Istaevones, name of a Germanic people there, of unknown origin. Related: Istrian (c. 1600).
-ite (2)
chemical salt suffix, from French -ite, alteration of -ate (see -ate (3)).
it (pron.)
Old English hit, neuter nominative and accusative of third person singular pronoun, from Proto-Germanic demonstrative base *khi- (source also of Old Frisian hit, Dutch het, Gothic hita "it"), from PIE *ko- "this" (see he). Used in place of any neuter noun, hence, as gender faded in Middle English, it took on the meaning "thing or animal spoken about before."
The h- was lost due to being in an unemphasized position, as in modern speech the h- in "give it to him," "ask her," is heard only "in the careful speech of the partially educated" [Weekley]. It "the sex act" is from 1610s; meaning "sex appeal (especially in a woman)" first attested 1904 in works of Rudyard Kipling, popularized 1927 as title of a book by Elinor Glyn, and by application of It Girl to silent-film star Clara Bow (1905-1965). In children's games, the meaning "the one who must tag or catch the others" is attested from 1842.
From Old English as nominative of an impersonal verb or statement when the thing for which it stands is implied (it rains, it pleases me). After an intransitive verb, used transitively for the action denoted, from 1540s (originally in fight it out). That's it "there is no more" is from 1966; this is it "the anticipated or dreaded moment has arrived" is from 1942.