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in·sert

(ĭn-sûrt)

tr.v. in·sert·ed, in·sert·ing, in·serts

1. To put or set into, between, or among: inserted the key in the lock; insert a shim between a door jamb and frame. See Synonyms at introduce.

2. To put or introduce into the body of something; interpolate: insert an illustration into a text.

3. To place into an orbit, trajectory, or stream.

4. To put into action: inserted a rookie into the lineup.

n. (ĭnsûrt′)

Something inserted or intended for insertion, as a picture or chart into written material.

[Latin īnserere, īnsert- : in-, in; see IN-² + serere, to join; see ser-² in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

in·serter n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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