Etymologically
Log in

ambitio

Etymology and origin of the Latin word ambitio

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Plautus
Ultimate origin
Latin (ambi-,eō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [amˈbɪ.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [amˈbit.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

ambitiō f (genitive ambitiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from ambiō “to go round” with the suffix -tiō; ⟨ambiō⟩ is from ambi- “around” and eō “to go”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of canvassing for votes.[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It was the going round of candidates soliciting votes, canvassing, by lawful means, as distinct from ambitus, canvassing by illegal means; candidature, as in Cicero; a striving after popularity, currying favour, as in Cato; desire for advancement, ambition, as in Cicero; partiality, favouritism, as in Livy; and vain display, ostentation, as in Seneca.[2][5]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it was ambition, strong desire, flattery, canvassing.[6] British Medieval Latin used it for a retinue and for the boundary of a place.[7] English ambition came through Old French ambicion in the mid-14th century, “eager desire for honour”.[3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of canvassing.[2][4]
  • 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of currying favour.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of ambition.[2][4]
  • mid-14th century – English ambition is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Canvassing for votes; candidature.[2]
  2. Currying favour; desire for advancement, ambition.[2]
  3. Partiality, favouritism.[2]
  4. Ostentation, show.[2]
  5. (Medieval Latin) A retinue; a boundary.[7]

Word family

  • ambitiōsus
  • ambiō
  • ambitiōsē
  • ambītor
  • ambitūdō
  • ambitus
  • abitiō
  • circumitiō
  • cōitiō
  • interitiō
  • praeteritiō
  • English ambition

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 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 d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  7. ^ 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
Cite this entry

“Ambitio.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/ambitio. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·