I. noun
or in·stal·ment -lmənt
( -s )
Etymology: install or instal + -ment
1. : an act of installing or the state of being installed
2. obsolete : the seat or place in which one is installed
II. noun
also instalment “
( -s )
Etymology: alteration of earlier estallment, estalment arrangement for payment by installments, probably from Middle French estaler to stop, place, fix (from Old French, from estal stop, place, position, from Old High German stal place, stall) + English -ment — more at stall
1.
a. : one of the portions into which a sum of money or a debt is divided for payment at set and usually regular intervals
the balance may be paid in three equal quarterly installments
b. : a payment that is part of a sum owed
surprised to get even an installment on the money he had loaned
2.
a. : one of several parts (as of a publication) presented at intervals : fascicle
b. : one portion of a story published serially (as in a magazine)
III. adjective
also instalment “
: of, relating to, based on, or involving periodic payments of a fixed sum or of a predetermined percentage of a total
installment buying
installment credit
installment loan
an installment account