- implant (v.)
- 1540s, "to plant in" (abstractly, of ideas, emotions, etc.), from Middle French implanter "to insert, engraft" (alongside Old French emplanter "to plant"), literally "plant in," from assimilated form of in- "into, in, on, upon" (see in- (2)) + planter "to plant" (see plant (n.)). Meaning "surgically implant (something) in the body" is from 1886, originally of teeth. Implanted is attested from early 15c., probably based on Medieval Latin implantus. Related: Implanting.
- implant (n.)
- 1890, "thing implanted;" 1941 as "action of implanting," from implant (v.). Related: Implants, which is attested by 1981 as short for breast implants (1976).
