integer
/ˈɪn.tɪ.dʒər/
noun
Origin
Latin
integer — untouched, whole, complete
Overview
Meaning Now
- A whole number that is not a fraction or decimal, including positive numbers, negative numbers, and zero.
- A thing complete in itself; something whole or entire.
Literal older meaning
untouched, whole
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
integer
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The term stems from the Latin concept of something remaining 'untouched' or 'intact'. By the 16th century, it was adopted into English to distinguish whole quantities from fractions in arithmetic, mirroring the Latin use of 'numerus integer' (a whole number).
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*n-tag-ro-
“untouched”
Compound of in- (not) + tangere (to touch)
- Latin
integer
“whole, entire”
Used as an adjective for things that are undamaged.
- Late Latin
integer
“whole number”
Mathematical usage develops from the meaning of 'entirety'.
- English
integer
“a whole number”
Introduced into English scientific and mathematical discourse.
Connections
Word parts
in-
prefix
not
tang-
root
to touch
-er
suffix
adjectival suffix
Related across languages
French
entier
entire, whole
Spanish
entero
whole, entire
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Related to integer
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.