Etymologically
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architectura

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ar.kʰɪ.tɛkˈtuː.ra][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ar.ki.tekˈtuː.ra][1]

Forms

architectūra f (genitive architectūrae); first declension[1]

Etymology

It is from architector “to design, build”, from architectus “architect”, with the suffix -ūra.[2][1] ⟨Architectus⟩ is a remodelling of Ancient Greek ἀρχιτέκτων (arkhitéktōn, “master builder”) under the influence of tegō “to cover”.[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant the art of building, architecture.[2]

British Medieval Latin used it for architecture and construction.[4] It survives in Italian architettura, French architecture and Spanish arquitectura, and gave English architecture in the 1560s.[1][5]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.[3]
  • 1560s – English architecture is recorded.[5]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Architecture, the art of building.[2]
  2. (Medieval Latin) Construction.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ 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
  5. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com