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administratio

Etymology and origin of the Latin word administratio

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Caesar
Ultimate origin
Latin (minister)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ad.mɪ.nɪsˈtraː.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ad.mi.nisˈtrat.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

administrātiō f (genitive administrātiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from administrō “to manage, assist” with the suffix -tiō.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Caesar, of operating something.[2] Köbler's first source is Cicero; he dates Caesar c. 50 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant operation, handling, as in Caesar, and in Cicero the conduct of an operation and the administration of a country or estate, government.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant governing, administration, control.[5] Medieval Latin used it for management, the exercise of power, government, an office, a reign, and a lower judicial district.[6] British Medieval Latin used it for supply, provision, and the administration of the sacraments.[7] It survives in Italian amministrazione and French administration, and gave English administration in the mid-14th century.[1][3]

Timeline

  • c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of operating.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of government.[2][4]
  • mid-14th century – English administration is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Operation, handling.[2]
  2. Conduct, management.[2]
  3. Administration, government.[2]
  4. (Medieval Latin) An office; a judicial district.[6]

Word family

  • administrātiuncula

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  7. ^ 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
Cite this entry

“Administratio.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/administratio. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·