assimilatio

Forms

assimilātiō f (genitive assimilātiōnis); third declension^[1] Georges gives it as a by-form of assimulātiō (also adsimulātiō, adsimilātiō).^[2] Gaffiot heads it adsimilātiō.^[3]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin assimilō + -tiō, from the verb meaning “to make like”,^[4][2] beside the commoner Classical form assimulātiō, from assimulō.^[5][2] Both verbs go back to similis (“like”),^[6] which de Vaan traces to Proto-Italic *semali- (“alike, together”) and Proto-Indo-European *smh₂-el-i-.^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

Pliny the Elder (23/24–79 AD)^[7] uses the word for a monstrous likeness of form, as in hermaphrodites; the OLD files the passage under assimulātiō, and Georges notes the reading assimilātiō there.^[5][2]

Semantic evolution

The Classical senses, under either spelling, were likeness of form, comparison (Tacitus) and pretence (Quintilian).^[5] The Justinian Code uses it for a deceitful comparison of one thing with another.^[2] A glossary renders it with Ancient Greek ἀφομοίωσις (aphomoíōsis).^[8]

In medieval Latin, under the spelling assimilātiō, it meant making something like or equal to something else, in philosophy and natural science, and in particular the assimilation of food in digestion; it also meant becoming like something, and likeness.^[9][10] English borrowed it in the early 15th century, through Old French, for the body's use of nourishment.^[4]

Timeline

• 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses it for a monstrous likeness of form.^[5][2][7]
• 98–115 AD – Tacitus uses it for a comparison.^[5][7]
• early 15th century – English borrows it, through Old French, as assimilation.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. Likeness or similarity in form.^[5][2]
2. Comparison, likening.^[5][2]
3. A feigning or pretence.^[5]
4. (Medieval Latin) A making like or equal; assimilation, in philosophy and natural science.^[9][10]
5. (Medieval Latin) The assimilation of food; digestion.^[9][10]
6. (Medieval Latin) Resemblance.^[10][9]

Related words

• English assimilation

Usage notes

Wiktionary and Lewis & Short treat assimilātiō as a variant of assimulātiō, under which the OLD and Lewis & Short give the Classical senses.^[1][11][5]

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
3. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
6. ^ a b de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
7. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
8. ^ Goetz, Georg (1888–1923), Corpus glossariorum Latinorum, Leipzig: Teubner; vols. VI–VII Thesaurus glossarum emendatarum, digital ed. CGLO, Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
9. ^ a b c d Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
10. ^ 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
11. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press