Advertisement

Origin and history of import

import(v.)

early 15c., importen, "signify, show, bear or convey in meaning," from Latin importare "bring in, convey, bring in from abroad," from assimilated form of in- "into, in" (from PIE root *en "in") + portare "to carry" (from PIE root *per- (2) "to lead, pass over"O.

In English, the sense of "bring from another state or land," especially "bring in goods from abroad" is recorded by 1540s. As "be important" from 1580s. Related: Imported; importing.

import(n.)

1580s, "consequence, importance;" 1680s, "that which is imported;" both from import (v.).

also from 1580s

Entries linking to import

important(adj.)

mid-15c., "significant, of much import, bearing weight or consequence," from Medieval Latin importantem (nominative importans) "important, momentous," present-participle adjective from importare "be significant in," from Latin importare "bring in, convey, bring in from abroad," from assimilated form of in- "into, in" (from PIE root *en "in") + portare "to carry," from PIE root *per- (2) "to lead, pass over." The meaning "pretentious, pompous" is from 1713. Related: Importantly. Compare import (v.) and (n.).

importation(n.)

c. 1600; see import (v.) + noun ending -ation.

Advertisement

More to explore

port
"a bay, cove, inlet, or recess of a large body of water where vessels can load and unload and find shelter from storms; a harbor, whether natural or artificial," Old English port "a port, harbor, a place where there is a constant resort of vessels for the purpose of loading and u
export
by 1610s, "carrying out of a place;" perhaps from late 15c., from Latin exportare "to carry out, bring out; send away, export," from ex "out, away" (see ex-) + portare "to carry," from PIE root *per- (2) "to lead, pass over." The sense of "send out (commodities) from one country
significance
directly from Latin significantia "meaning, force, energy," from significans, present participle of significare "to mean, import...
tariff
1590s, "arithmetical table," also "official list of customs duties on imports or exports; law regulating import duties,"...
aphorism
The general sense of "short, pithy statement containing a truth of general import" (e.g....Distinguished from an axiom, which is a statement of self-evident truth; an epigram is like an aphorism, but lacking in general import...
loot
A term of the same import as Lootics. [James, "Military Dictionary"]...
purport
early 15c., "meaning, tenor, the surface or expressed meaning of a document, etc.; that which is conveyed or expressed," from Anglo-French purport (late 13c.), Old French porport "contents, tenor," back-formation from purporter "to contain, convey, carry; intend," from pur- (from
signification
early 14c., significacioun, "symbolization, representation," from Old French significacion and directly from Latin significationem (nominative significatio) "a signifying, indication, expression, sign, token, meaning, emphasis," noun of action from past-participle stem of signifi
essence
late 14c., essencia (respelled late 15c. on French model), from Latin essentia "being, essence," abstract noun formed (to translate Greek ousia "being, essence") from essent-, present participle stem of esse "to be," from PIE root *es- "to be." Originally "substance of the Trinit

Share import

Advertisement
Trending
Dictionary entries near import
Advertisement