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Origin and history of interactive

interactive(adj.)

"acting upon or influencing each other," 1832, from interact (v.), probably on model of active. Related: Interactively; interactivity.

also from 1832

Entries linking to interactive

active(adj.)

mid-14c., actif, active, "given to worldly activity" (opposed to contemplative or monastic), from Old French actif (12c.) and directly from Latin activus, from actus "a doing" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move").

As "capable of acting" (opposed to passive), from late 14c. Meaning "energetic, lively" is from 1590s; that of "working, effective, in operation" (opposed to inactive) is from 1640s. The grammatical active voice is recorded from 1765; grammatical use of active, signifying performance and not endurance of an action, dates from mid-15c. (opposed to passive or reflexive).

interact(v.)

"act on each other, act reciprocally," 1805, from inter- + act (v.). Related: Interacted; interacting.

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