armistitium

Forms

armistitium n (genitive armistitiī or armistitī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin arma (“arms, weapons”) + sistō (“to halt”) + -ium,^[1] formed like sōlstitium “solstice”, whose second part, ⟨-stitium⟩, occurs only in compounds.^[1][2] Etymonline traces that part to a suffixed form of Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to stand”).^[2] Köbler also compares statuō (“to set up, establish”).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The first record is of 1335, in the Scottish rolls, where it is agreed that an armistitium should be made on both sides.^[4][3]

Semantic evolution

It is a medieval and New Latin word for a truce, a halt in fighting agreed by both sides.^[4][1] English used it in its Latin form from the 1660s;^[2] French made armistice from it in the 1680s, and English took that in 1707 as armistice.^[2] German Waffenstillstand translates the French word.^[2]

Timeline

• 1335 – The Scottish rolls record an agreement on an armistitium.^[4][3]
• 1660s – English uses the Latin form armistitium.^[2]
• 1680s – French armistice is formed after it.^[2]
• 1707 – English armistice, from French.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin, New Latin) A truce, armistice.^[4][1][3]

Related words

• iūstitium
• English armistice

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b c d 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