instalment
UK[ɪnˈstɔːlmənt]US[ɪnˈstɔːlmənt]
n
One of a number of parts into which a debt or other sum of money is divided for payment at regular intervals over a period of time.
n
One of the parts of a story, television drama, etc., that are published or broadcast separately over a period of time.
Morpheme Breakdown
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Etymology
The word "instalment" originates from the verb "install", which itself entered English in the 16th century from Medieval Latin installare, meaning "to place in a stall" or "to establish in an office". The core Germanic root "stal" relates to a standing place or position, as seen in Old English "steall". The prefix "in-" adds the sense of placing into that position. The suffix "-ment" was added to form the noun, signifying the act of installing or, by later extension, the portion or stage by which something (like a payment or a story) is formally and progressively put into place. The financial sense developed in the 18th century, logically extending from the idea of setting up a debt in arranged, positioned parts.
Analysis
Structure: in + stal + ment
- in (Latin): A prefix meaning "in, into, on, upon".
- stal (Old English): A root derived from "stall", meaning a standing place, position, or a place for an animal.
- ment (Latin via French): A noun-forming suffix indicating the result or means of an action.
Examples
The car can be paid for in twelve monthly instalments.
The final instalment of the book series was eagerly awaited by fans.
We watched the latest instalment of the documentary series.