Etymologically
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actrix

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈaːk.triːks][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈak.triks][1]

Forms

āctrīx f (genitive āctrīcis, masculine āctor); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin agō (“to do, drive”) + -trīx, the feminine of āctor.[2][3][1] De Vaan traces ⟨agō⟩ to Proto-Italic *ag-e/o- (“to do, act”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ-e/o- (“to drive, lead”).[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's earliest source is Tertullian, whom he dates c. 160–220 AD.[5]

Semantic evolution

It was a stewardess, female agent, as in an inscription, and in the Theodosian Code a female plaintiff.[2][3]

British Medieval Latin used it for a female agent, authoress, as in Gower, and with pars a plaintiff.[6] Köbler connects English actress with it, and Etymonline forms actress (1580s, “a woman who does something”) from actor and -ess.[5][7]

Timeline

  • c. 160–220 AD – Tertullian uses it.[5]
  • 1580s – English actress is recorded.[7]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A stewardess, female agent.[2][3]
  2. A female plaintiff.[3][6]
  3. (Medieval Latin) An authoress.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  4. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  5. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ a b c Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com