antimonium

Forms

antimonium n (genitive antimoniī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

The origin is uncertain.^[2][3][4] One view, given by Wiktionary, takes it from Arabic إِثْمِد (ʔiṯmid), which goes back to Egyptian sdm;^[1][2][5] Etymonline thinks it probably a Latinization of late Greek στίμμι (stímmi, “powdered antimony”) by way of Arabic, unless the Latin was taken from the Arabic word, which would explain the initial ⟨a⟩ as the Arabic article; it traces the name ultimately to Egyptian.^[4] The MLW prefers a derivation from Ancient Greek ἀνθεμίς (anthemís), following Svennung, and thinks the Arabic origin less likely.^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its first author is Constantine the African, who calls it hot and dry in the fourth degree and good for the eyes.^[6][2][7]

Semantic evolution

In medieval medicine and alchemy it named a mineral, a vein of the earth resembling metal, especially tin, but distinguished from it because it can be ground; it was used for coughs and in fumigations, and the alchemists called it a substance of Saturn.^[6][3] The MLW identifies it roughly with stibnite or lead antimony glance,^[6] and the Alphita equates it with stibium.^[6] Alexander Neckam may use it of hard clay soil.^[3]

English antimony, from the early 15th century, comes from Old French antimoine and directly from the Medieval Latin word.^[4] Italian antimonio continues it.^[5]

Timeline

• 1020–1087 – Constantine the African uses it in his book on the degrees of medicines.^[6][2]
• early 15th century – English antimony is taken from it.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. (medicine, alchemy) Antimony (antimony sulphide, stibnite).^[6][3][1]
2. Perhaps hard clay soil.^[3]

Related words

• stibium
• English antimony

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
3. ^ a b c d e 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
4. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ a b Conte, Gian Biagio; Pianezzola, Emilio; Ranucci, Giuliano (2010), il Latino: Vocabolario della lingua latina, 3rd ed., Florence: Le Monnier
6. ^ a b c d e f g Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
7. ^ du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre