Etymologically
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auditor

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 15:43. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [au̯ˈdiː.tɔr][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [au̯ˈdiː.tor][1]

Forms

audītor m (genitive audītōris); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from audiō “to hear” with the suffix -tor.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of a listener.[2] Köbler's first source is Cicero; he dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant a hearer, listener, as in Plautus, and in Cicero a disciple, pupil.[2]

Ecclesiastical Latin uses it for a hearer, disciple, an examiner of accounts, and in canon law a judge who gathers proofs and hears witnesses.[5] Medieval Latin used it for an assessor in the king's or the count's court.[6] British Medieval Latin used it for a hearer and a disciple.[7] It survives in Spanish oidor and Portuguese ouvidor, and through Anglo-French auditour it gave English auditor in the early 14th century, an official who examines accounts.[1][3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a listener.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a pupil.[2][4]
  • early 14th century – English auditor is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A hearer, listener.[2]
  2. A disciple, pupil.[2]
  3. (Ecclesiastical Latin) An auditor of accounts; an examining judge.[5]
  4. (Medieval Latin) An assessor in court.[6]

Word family

  • audītōrius

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  7. ^ 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