censura

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [kẽːˈsuː.ra]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [t͡ʃenˈsuː.ra]^[1]

Forms

cēnsūra f (genitive cēnsūrae); first declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from cēnseō “to assess” with the suffix -ūra.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of the censorship.^[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant the office of censor and its term, as in Cicero, and in Seneca assessment, appraisal.^[2] In Ovid it meant oversight in moral matters, like that of the censors.^[2]

Medieval Latin used it for criminal justice, public authority, and the Church's disciplinary justice.^[5] In canon law a cēnsūra is a penalty depriving a contumacious offender of certain spiritual goods.^[6] British Medieval Latin used it for judgement, condemnation, and valuation.^[7] It was borrowed into Italian and Spanish censura and French censure, and gave English censure in the late 14th century, a judicial sentence.^[1][3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the censorship.^[2][4]
• 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of moral oversight.^[2][4]
• late 14th century – English censure is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. The censorship.^[2]
2. Assessment, appraisal.^[2]
3. Moral oversight.^[2]
4. (Ecclesiastical Latin) An ecclesiastical penalty, censure.^[6][5]

Related words

• cēnseō
• cēnsor
• English censure

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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 Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
6. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
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