Etymology and origin of the Latin word aorta
- Confidence
- Established
- Formation
- Borrowing
- First attested
- 1020–1087 Constantine the African More words from the 11th century
- Borrowed from
- Ancient Greek ἀορτή
- Ultimate origin
- Ancient Greek ἀορτή
Forms
aorta f (genitive aortae); first declension[1] Medieval texts also have the indeclinable forms orthi, adorti and aorti.[2][3]
Etymology
It is borrowed from Ancient Greek ἀορτή (aortḗ, “the arteries springing from the heart”), a Medieval Latin borrowing;[1][2][3] the same Greek word had been borrowed in Classical times as averta.[1] In Greek it meant a strap or bag to hang something by, and Aristotle applied it to the great artery of the heart; it is probably from ἀείρω (aeírō, “to lift”), a verb of uncertain origin.[4] The MLW notes that the word passed from Greek into Arabic as well,[2] and the DMLBS attributes forms such as ⟨adorti⟩ to the influence of Old French variants.[3]
Earliest recorded meaning
The first record is in the medical writings of Constantine the African (1020–1087),[5][2] where it names the great artery leaving the heart, which he says the followers of Aristotle call orthy.[2]
Semantic evolution
Medieval texts more often have indeclinable forms such as orthi, adorti or aorti than the declined aorta.[2][3] Besides the main artery, the MLW records it for an artery at the temple.[2] British anatomical writers call the adorti the mother and origin of all the arteries.[3] English took the word from Medieval Latin in the 1590s.[4]
Timeline
- 1020–1087 – Constantine the African names the great artery from the heart.[5][2]
- 13th century – Albertus Magnus uses the word.[5]
- 1590s – English borrows it as an anatomical term.[4]
Meanings
Noun
- (anatomy) The aorta, the main artery leaving the heart.[2][3][1]
- (anatomy) An artery at the temple.[2]
Related words
- English aorta
References
- ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
- ^ a b c d e f 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
- ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
- ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
Borrowed into
- English aorta
Related etymologies
- patriarcha · also from Greek
- microscopium · also from Greek
- arteria · also from Greek
- anachoreta · also from Greek
- alleluia · also from Greek
- palladium · also from Greek
- colon · also from Greek
- peripheria · also from Greek
Cite this entry
“Aorta.” Etymologically, 7 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/la/aorta. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.
Last edited on . ·