institution | Search Online Etymology Dictionary

60 entries found.

c. 1400, "action of establishing or founding (a system of government, a religious order, etc.)," from Old French institucion "foundation; thing established" (12c.), from Latin institutionem (nominative institutio) "a disposition, arrangement; instruction, education," noun of state from institutus (see institute (v.)).

Meaning "established law or practice" is from 1550s. Meaning "establishment or organization for the promotion of some charity" is from 1707. Jocular or colloquial use for "anything that's been around a long time" is from 1837.

institutional (adj.)

1610s, "of or pertaining to an institution," from institution + -al (1). Related: Institutionally.

institutionalize (v.)

"to put into institutional life" (usually deprecatory), 1897; see institution. Earlier (1860) it meant "to make into an institution" and "to adjust to life in an institution" (1893). Related: Institutionalized.

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."

co-education (n.)

also coeducation, "joint education," specifically of young men and young women in the same institution, 1852, from co- + education.

manager (n.)

1580s, "one who directs or controls," agent noun from manage. Specific sense of "one charged with conducting a house of business or public institution" is from 1705.

parastate (n.)

also para-state, "institution or body which takes on some of the roles of civil government," 1959, from para- (1) "beside" + state (n.). Related: Parastatal.

co-educational (adj.)

also coeducational, "involving or pertaining to joint education of men and women at the same institution," 1868, from co-education + -al (1).

warehouse (n.)

mid-14c., from ware (n.) + house. Compare Dutch warenhuis, German warenhaus. Meaning "large impersonal institution" is American English colloquial, first attested 1970.

endowment (n.)

mid-15c., "action of endowing," from endow + -ment. Meaning "property with which an institution or person is endowed" is from 1590s; that of "gift, power, advantage" is early 17c.

Trending words