Etymology : Middle English, from Latin, from ita thus
Pronunciation : I-"tem, I-t&m
Function : adverb
Date : 14th century
1. thing, object, article; news story, piece of information, scoop, piece of gossip. item\i"tem\ , adv. [l. see:
iterate.] also; as an additional article.item \i"tem\ , n. [from item, adv.].
2. an article; a separate particular in an account; as, the items in a bill.
3. a hint; an innuendo. [obs.] a secret item was given to some of the bishops to absent themselves.
4. a short article in a newspaper; a paragraph; as, an item concerning the weather.item \i"tem\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. itemed ; p. pr. & vb. n. iteming.] to make a note or memorandum of. i have itemed it in my memory.item n.
5. a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list; "he noticed an item in the new york times"; "she had several items on her shopping list"; "the main point on the agenda was taken up first" [syn: point].
6. a whole individual unit; especially when included in a list or collection; "they reduced the price on many items".
7. a small part that can be considered separately from the whole; "it was perfect in all details" [syn: detail, particular].
8. an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole; "several of the details are similar"; "a point of information" [syn: detail, point].
9. an individual instance of a type of symbol; "the word`error' contains three tokens of `r'" [syn: token] (used when listing or enumerating items) also; "a length of chain, item a hook"-philip guedalla.
10. Also; as an additional article.
11. An article; a separate particular in an account; as, the items in a bill.
12. A hint; an innuendo.
13. A short article in a newspaper; a paragraph; as, an item concerning the weather.
14. To make a note or memorandum of. a whole individual unit; especially when included in a list or collection; "they reduced the price on many items" a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list; "he noticed an item in the New York Times"; "she had several items on her shopping list"; "the main point on the agenda was taken up first" also; "a length of chain, item a hook"-Philip Guedalla.
15. 1. An item is one of a collection or list of objects. The most valuable item on show will be a Picasso drawing see also:
collector's item.
16. An item is one of a list of things for someone to do, deal with, or talk about. The other item on the agenda is the tour. = matter, topic.
17. An item is a report or article in a newspaper or magazine, or on television or radio. There was an item in the paper about him.
18. If you say that two people are an item, you mean that they are having a romantic or sexual relationship. She and Gino were an item.