international
Meaning
Existing, occurring, or carried on between two or more nations.
Agreed on by or involving many nations; used by people of many nations.
Structure
Usage
The company is seeking to expand its international trade.
English is often used as an international language of business.
She works for a major international humanitarian organization.
Etymology
The word 'international' is a modern English construction, first recorded in the late 18th century by philosopher Jeremy Bentham. It is a logical compound built from classical elements: the Latin prefix inter- ("between") is attached to the noun nation, which itself originates from the Latin natio ("birth, breed, stock"), derived from the past participle stem natus- of the verb nasci ("to be born"). The suffix -al then converts the compound into an adjective. Thus, the term's literal construction "between nations" directly and transparently conveys its modern meaning of relations, activities, or agreements that transcend the boundaries of any single country.
Analysis
- inter: From Latin inter, meaning "between, among". A prefix indicating reciprocal or mutual relation. - nation: From Latin nation-, natio, meaning "birth, race, people". The core noun denoting a large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory. - al: From Latin -alis, an adjective-forming suffix meaning "of, relating to, or characterized by".