aequatio

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ae̯ˈkʷaː.ti.oː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [eˈkʷat.t͡si.o]^[1]

Forms

aequātiō f (genitive aequātiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from aequō “to make equal” with the suffix -tiō.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant an equalizing, an equal division or distribution.^[2]

British Medieval Latin used it for a correspondence, a mathematical equation, and a balance in accounts.^[5] It survives in Italian equazione, French équation and Spanish ecuación, and gave English equation in the late 14th century, first as a term of astrology for making equal.^[1][3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.^[4]
• late 14th century – English equation is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. An equalizing; equal distribution.^[2]
2. (Medieval Latin) An equation; a balance (in accounts).^[5]

Related words

• aequābilis
• aequābilitās
• aequālis
• aequālitās
• aequitās
• aequō
• aequum
• aequus
• English equation

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b 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