Etymologically
Log in

administro

Etymology and origin of the Latin word administro

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

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ad.mɪˈnɪs.troː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ad.miˈnis.tro][1]

Forms

administrō (present infinitive administrāre, perfect active administrāvī, supine administrātum); first conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is from ad- (“to”) and ministrō “to attend, serve”, from minister “attendant”.[1][2][3] A spelling ⟨amministrō⟩ also occurs.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's first citation is Plautus, of assisting at a sacrifice.[2][4] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant to be a helper, assist, as Plautus' help at a sacrifice, and to attend to something.[2][4] It meant to work or manoeuvre ships, as in Caesar, to carry out an operation, as in Terence, and to hold an office, as in Cicero.[2] It meant to manage the affairs of a country, administer laws or an estate, and to bestow or save something.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to administer, manage, minister.[6] English administer came through Old French in the late 14th century, and English administration from administrātiō in the mid-14th century.[3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of assisting.[2][5]
  • 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of carrying out a task.[2][5]
  • c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of handling ships.[2][5]
  • late 14th century – English administer is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To assist; to attend (to).[2]
  2. To work, manoeuvre (ships).[2]
  3. To carry out, conduct; to hold (an office).[2]
  4. To manage, administer.[2]
  5. To bestow; to save.[2]

Word family

  • administrātiō
  • administrātīvus
  • administrātor
  • administrātōrius

References

  1. ^ a b c d 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 Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
Cite this entry

“Administro.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/administro. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·