advocatio

Forms

advocātiō f (genitive advocātiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin advocō (“to summon, call in”) + -tiō.^[2][1][3] ⟨advocō⟩ is from ad- and vocō (“to call”).^[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero.^[2][4] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

In the classical period it was only a legal term: a body of legal advisers or advocates, as in Cicero; the functions of an advocate, pleading in the courts, advocacy, fiscī advocātiō the office of advocate of the treasury; and an adjournment of a trial, originally to seek legal help, a postponement.^[2][5]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it was the function of a patron, the right of presenting a cleric to a vacant benefice.^[6] Medieval Latin used it for judicial assistance, the ecclesiastical advowry, the office of the lay advocate of a church with its powers and rights, the king's power over royal churches, and the district under an advocate.^[7] British Medieval Latin also used it for a summons, invitation.^[8] English advocation (1520s) and, through Anglo-French advouison, advowson (c. 1300) come from it.^[3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it in law.^[2][4]
• c. 1300 – English advowson is recorded.^[3]
• 1520s – English advocation is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A body of legal advisers.^[2]
2. Advocacy, pleading in court.^[2]
3. (law) An adjournment, postponement.^[2]
4. (Medieval Latin) Advowson, the right of presenting to a benefice; the office of a church's advocate.^[6][7]

Related words

• advocō
• advocātus
• vocō
• English advowson

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d 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. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
7. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
8. ^ 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