aedilis

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ae̯ˈdiː.lɪs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [eˈdiː.lis]^[1]

Forms

aedīlis m (genitive aedīlis); third declension^[1] Early inscriptions have aidilis, plural aidiles, and Varro has the ablative aedīle.^[2]

Etymology

It is from aedēs “building, temple” with the suffix -īlis, continuing Proto-Italic ⟨*aiðīlis⟩.^[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Early inscriptions have it as aidilis.^[2] Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It was the Roman magistrate in charge of public buildings, games and markets, an aedile, as in Cicero, and a magistrate of other Italian towns.^[2] In inscriptions it was the president of a guild, and in Varro a sacristan.^[2]

Medieval Latin used aedīlis as an adjective for what belonged to the monastery itself, as against its estates.^[4] British Medieval Latin used it for an overseer of buildings and a sacristan.^[5] It was borrowed into Italian edile and French édile, and English aedile.^[1]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the magistrate.^[2][3]
• 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of a sacristan.^[2][3]

Meanings

Noun

1. An aedile, a Roman magistrate over buildings, games and markets.^[2]
2. A town magistrate.^[2]
3. The president of a guild.^[2]
4. A sacristan.^[2]

Related words

• aedēs
• aedificō
• English aedile

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 Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
5. ^ 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