Etymologically
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associatio

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Pronunciation

  • Classical: [as.sɔ.kiˈaː.ti.oː][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [as.so.t͡ʃiˈat.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

associātiō f (genitive associātiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin associō (“to join with, associate”) + -tiō, a noun of action from the verb.[1][2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The earliest instance the DMLBS gives is in the customs of Dunstable, about 1115: twelve burgesses settled all pleas on oath without the association of any outsider.[4] Köbler also finds it in the Leges Henrici Primi of about the same time.[2]

Semantic evolution

It meant joining and company in general: Gerhoch of Reichersberg uses it for sharing or communicating something,[5][2] Albertus Magnus for the union of the head with the body or of several things in one time or place,[5] and in church usage it could mean accompanying someone, an escort.[6] In French law it named a pariage contract; an edict of Philip IV of 1301 forbids new ones made in the king's name without his order.[7][8] Later medieval sources from Hungary and Poland use it for adding or attaching something, for the company of good or evil people, and for support.[9][10] British sources have it for an association of persons, a fellowship or an enlistment.[4]

English association, first recorded in the 1530s for coming together for a common purpose, comes from it; the sense of an organized body of people followed in the 1650s, and the mental sense in the 1680s.[3]

Timeline

  • c. 1115 – The customs of Dunstable use it for joining an outsider to the burgesses.[4][2]
  • before 1169 – Gerhoch of Reichersberg uses it for sharing or communication.[5][2]
  • 13th century – Albertus Magnus uses it for the union of the head with the body.[5][2]
  • 1301 – An edict of Philip IV uses it for the pariage contract.[8]
  • 1530s – English association is formed from it.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) A joining, union, connection.[5][11][10]
  2. (Medieval Latin) The act of sharing, communication.[5]
  3. (Medieval Latin) Company, fellowship; an association of persons.[4][10]
  4. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Accompaniment, escort.[6][11]
  5. (Medieval Latin, law) A pariage contract.[7][8]
  6. (Medieval Latin) An addition, attaching.[9]
  7. (Medieval Latin) Support, help.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  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
  5. ^ a b c d e f Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  6. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  7. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  8. ^ a b c du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
  9. ^ a b Bartal, Antal, et al. (1987–), Lexicon Latinitatis Medii Aevi Hungariae, Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó; online ed. ELTE
  10. ^ a b c d Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
  11. ^ a b Latinitatis medii aevi lexicon Bohemorum / Slovník středověké latiny v českých zemích (1977–), Prague: Academia; electronic version, Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences