Etymologically
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censura

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 16:03. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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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]

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