Etymologically
Log in

adhibeo

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 15:40. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [aˈdɪ.be.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [aˈdiː.be.o][1]

Forms

adhibeō (present infinitive adhibēre, perfect active adhibuī, supine adhibitum); second conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is from ad- “to” and habeō “to have, hold”.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of bringing a quality into play.[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant to hold out the hands towards, as in Ovid, and in Lucilius to turn one's mind or ears to something.[2] In Terence it meant to call in a witness, in Livy to invite a guest, and in Cicero to consult, to bring in from outside, and to apply medicine.[2] From Plautus it meant to bring qualities into play, use, and in Cicero to supply, and reflexively to behave.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to add, apply, make use of.[4] It was borrowed into Italian adibire and Spanish adhibir, and English adhibit.[1]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of applying qualities.[2][3]
  • 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of calling witnesses.[2][3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of consulting and applying.[2][3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To put to, apply.[2]
  2. To turn (one's mind) to.[2]
  3. To call in; to invite; to consult.[2]
  4. To bring in; to administer (medicine).[2]
  5. To bring into play, use.[2]
  6. To supply; reflexively, to behave.[2]

Word family

  • adhibitio
  • adhibitus

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson