uninstalled
Meaning
removed (a software application) from a computer or device.
past tense and past participle of uninstall.
Structure
Usage
i uninstalled the old program to free up disk space.
the update failed, so she uninstalled and then reinstalled the application.
several unnecessary plugins were uninstalled during the system cleanup.
Etymology
the word 'uninstall' is a modern english formation, created by applying the native english reversative prefix 'un-' to the verb 'install'. 'install' itself entered english from old french 'installer', which derived from medieval latin 'installare', meaning "to place in a stall or seat," from latin 'in-' (in) and 'stallum' (stall, place). the latin 'stallum' traces back to proto-germanic 'stallaz', related to the concept of a standing place. the logic of 'uninstalled' is transparently modern: it reverses the action of setting software in place ('installing'), meaning to remove it from its operational position within a system. the '-ed' suffix simply marks the action as completed in the past.
Analysis
- un: a prefix of english origin, from old english 'un-', meaning "not" or expressing reversal. in this word, it indicates the reversal of an action. - install: a verb of latin origin, from medieval latin 'installare' (to place in a stall, to establish), via old french 'installer'. its core sense is "to set up or place in position for use." - ed: a suffix of english origin, from old english '-ede', '-ode', '-ad', used to form the past tense and past participle of regular verbs.