item
pronunciation
How to pronounce item in British English:
UK [ˈaɪtəm]
How to pronounce item in American English:
US [ˈaɪtəm]
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- Noun:
- a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list
- a whole individual unit; especially when included in a list or collection
- a small part that can be considered separately from the whole
- an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
- an individual instance of a type of symbol
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- Adverb:
- (used when listing or enumerating items) also
Word Origin
- 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 (compare 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).
Example
- 1. Item : observed casually , it appears the answer to gold famine alarmists .
- 2. Item : it is immensely convenient .
- 3. Figure : creates a figure as a single item .
- 4. As usual , the first item offered was his wikipedia entry .
- 5. The first item on a highly successful to-do list : make a better to-do list .