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arbitror

Etymology and origin of the Latin word arbitror

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Ennius
Ultimate origin
Latin (arbiter)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈar.bɪ.trɔr][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈar.bi.tror][1]

Forms

arbitror (present infinitive arbitrārī or arbitrārier, perfect active arbitrātus sum); first conjugation, deponent[1] Plautus has the imperative arbitrāminō.[2]

Etymology

It is from arbiter “witness, judge”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Ennius, of considering, and Plautus, of witnessing and of thinking.[2] Köbler dates Ennius 204–169 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

In Plautus it meant to observe, witness, and to think, imagine, and in Ennius to consider, reckon.[2] In Ulpian it meant to judge as an arbiter.[2] Döderlein groups cēnsēre, iūdicāre, arbitrārī and aestimāre as words for passing judgement with the authority of a judge.[5]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to think, decide, judge.[6] It was borrowed into Italian arbitrare and Spanish arbitrar, and its participle arbitrātus gave English arbitrate in the 1580s.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of considering.[2][4]
  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of witnessing and thinking.[2][4]
  • before 223 AD – Ulpian uses it of arbitrating.[2][4]
  • 1580s – English arbitrate is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To observe, witness.[2]
  2. To judge as an arbiter, arbitrate.[2]
  3. To consider, reckon.[2]
  4. To think, believe.[2]
  • arbiter
  • arbitrium
  • English arbitrate

Usage notes

Döderlein distinguishes it from cēnseō, iūdicō and aestimō.[5]

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 l 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. ^ a b Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
Cite this entry

“Arbitror.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/arbitror. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·