adaptatio

Forms

adaptātiō f (genitive adaptātiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin adaptō (“to fit, adjust”) + -tiō, a noun of action made from the verb.^[1][2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is the Life of Charlemagne of about 1165, which says that a place took its name Aquae, “waters”, from the use of its hot waters.^[2][4]

Semantic evolution

Medieval writers used it for fitting one thing to another, such as the organs of the body to its structure in an anatomy ascribed to Galen.^[4] In theology and exegesis it meant the fitting application of a text or idea, an allegory, or a correspondence;^[4][5] Albertus Magnus uses it often.^[4] British sources apply it to the use of a Sunday procession on other Sundays, and in 1259 to the training of falcons.^[5] A Polish account of 1564 uses it of fitting tools together.^[6]

Stelten glosses it “adaptation, adjustment”.^[7] English adaptation came from it through French around 1600.^[3]

Timeline

• c. 1165 – The Life of Charlemagne uses it of the use of hot springs.^[2][4]
• c. 1230 – A service book uses it of applying a Sunday procession to other Sundays.^[5]
• 1259 – A royal record uses it of the training of falcons.^[5]
• 13th century – Albertus Magnus uses it of fitting application.^[4][2]
• c. 1600 – English adaptation is taken from it through French.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin) Adjustment, fitting (of one thing to another).^[4][1][6]
2. (Medieval Latin) Application, fitting use (of a text, a rite, an idea).^[4][5]
3. (Medieval Latin) An allegory; a correspondence.^[4]
4. (Medieval Latin) The training (of falcons).^[5]
5. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Adaptation.^[7]

Related words

• aptus
• English adaptation

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
5. ^ a b c d e f 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
6. ^ a b Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
7. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson