Etymology
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multitasking (n.)

also multi-tasking, "concurrent execution of a number of different activities," 1966, originally in computing, from multi- "many" + tasking (see task (n.)). Of humans, by 1998. Related: Multitask (v.), by 1987. As an adjective, multi-task is recorded from 1954 in a non-computer mechanical context.

Entries linking to multitasking

multi- 

before vowels mult-, word-forming element meaning "many, many times, much," from combining form of Latin multus "much, many," from PIE *ml-to-, from root *mel- (2) "strong, great, numerous." It was much-used in forming Latin compounds in classical times and after (such as multianimis "having much courage," multibibus "much-drinking," multicomus "having much hair," multiloquus "talkative"). Many English words that use it (multinational, etc.) are 20c. coinages.

task (n.)
early 14c., "a quantity of labor imposed as a duty," from Old North French tasque (12c., Old French tasche, Modern French tâche) "duty, tax," from Vulgar Latin *tasca "a duty, assessment," metathesis of Medieval Latin taxa, a back-formation of Latin taxare "to evaluate, estimate, assess" (see tax (v.)). General sense of "any piece of work that has to be done" is first recorded 1590s. Phrase take one to task (1680s) preserves the sense that is closer to tax.

German tasche "pocket" is from the same Vulgar Latin source (via Old High German tasca), with presumable sense evolution from "amount of work imposed by some authority," to "payment for that work," to "wages," to "pocket into which money is put," to "any pocket."

updated on March 25, 2019

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Dictionary entries near multitasking

multiprocessor

multipurpose

multiracial

multistory

multisyllable

multitasking

multitude

multitudinous

multi-use

multivalent

multivariate

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