item
[ noun, verb ahy-tuhm; adverb ahy-tem ]
/ noun, verb ˈaɪ təm; adverb ˈaɪ tɛm /
noun
adverb
also; likewise (used especially to introduce each article or statement in a list or series).
verb (used with object) Archaic.
to set down or enter as an item, or by or in items.
to make a note of.
Nearby words
Origin of item
1350–1400; Middle English: likewise (adv.), the same (noun) < Latin: likewise
Related formssub·i·tem, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for item
British Dictionary definitions for item
item
noun (ˈaɪtəm)
a thing or unit, esp included in a list or collection
accounting an entry in an account
a piece of information, detail, or notea news item
informal two people having a romantic or sexual relationship
verb (ˈaɪtəm)
(tr) an archaic word for itemize
adverb (ˈaɪtɛm)
likewise; also
Word Origin for item
C14 (adv) from Latin: in like manner
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for item
item
late 14c. (adv.) "moreover, in addition," from Latin item (adv.) "likewise, just so, moreover," used to introduce a new fact or statement, probably from ita "thus," id "it" (see id) + adverbial ending -tem (cf. idem "the same"). Thus "a statement or maxim" (of the kind formerly introduced by the word item), first recorded 1560s. Meaning "detail of information" (especially in a newspaper) is from 1819; item "sexually linked unmarried couple" is 1970, probably from notion of being an item in the gossip columns. Noun sense of "an article of any kind" (1570s) developed from adverbial sense of "moreover, in addition," which was used before every article in a list (such as an inventory or bill).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper