Etymologically
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casualis

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 15:29. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kaː.suˈaː.lɪs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ka.s̬uˈaː.lis][1]

Forms

cāsuālis (neuter cāsuāle); third-declension two-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from cāsus “fall, chance, case” with the suffix -ālis.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Varro, in grammar.[2] Köbler's first source is the Code of Justinian; he dates Varro 116–27 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

In Varro it meant relating to grammatical case, and an inscription names a Fortūna cāsuālis, fortune of chance.[2]

Late and Medieval Latin used it for accidental, by chance.[5][3] British Medieval Latin used it in grammar, and as a noun for a word in a given case.[6] It was borrowed into Italian casuale and Spanish casual, and through Old French casuel it gave English casual in the late 14th century, subject to chance.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 116–27 BC – Varro uses it in grammar.[2][4]
  • 528–534 AD – The Code of Justinian uses it.[4]
  • late 14th century – English casual is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (grammar) Of case.[2]
  2. By chance, fortuitous, casual.[2][5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d 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 Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  6. ^ 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