import
UK[ɪmˈpɔːt]US[ˈɪm.pɔːrt]
v
To bring (products or services) into a country from abroad for sale or use.
n
A product or service brought into a country from abroad.
n
The meaning or significance of something.
Morpheme Breakdown
im
port
im
in
port
carry
Etymology
The word 'import' entered English in the late 15th century from the Latin verb 'importare', which itself is a compound of the prefix 'in-' (meaning 'into') and the verb 'portare' (meaning 'to carry'). The literal sense of 'carrying goods into a port or country' formed the basis for its commercial meaning. Over time, this concrete meaning of physically bringing in commodities was extended metaphorically to the abstract realm of 'carrying in' or conveying significance, giving rise to the sense of 'meaning or importance'.
Analysis
Structure: im (in) + port (carry)
- im: A prefix of Latin origin, a form of 'in-' meaning 'in, into, on, toward'.
- port: A root of Latin origin, from 'portare', meaning 'to carry'.
Examples
The country needs to import more oil to meet its energy demands.
The main import from that region is high-quality coffee.
His words were few, but their import was profound.