clausula

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈkɫau̯.sʊ.ɫa]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈklaːu̯.su.la]^[1]

Forms

clausula f (genitive clausulae); first declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from ⟨claus-⟩, the participle stem of claudō “to shut, close”, with the suffix -ula.^[2][1][3] De Vaan traces ⟨claudō⟩ to Proto-Italic *klaud-e/o-, from Proto-Indo-European *kleh₂u-d- (“to shut”).^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of the end of a letter.^[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[5]

Semantic evolution

It was the concluding passage of a letter, speech or argument, as in Cicero; in rhetoric the rhythmic close of a periodic sentence, as in Cicero; the end of a word or a line of verse, as in Quintilian; the conclusion of a transaction; a clause of a law or document, as in Cicero; and in Pliny the Elder an end, extremity.^[2] Cicero speaks of a mime that, when no ending can be found, breaks off.^[6]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it was an end, conclusion, sentence, section, clause.^[7] British Medieval Latin used it for a close, conclusion, as in Aldhelm.^[8] English clause (about 1200) came through Old French clause and Medieval Latin clausa, used in the sense of clausula.^[9]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.^[2][5]
• c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it of verse.^[2][5]
• c. 1200 – English clause is recorded.^[9]

Meanings

Noun

1. A conclusion, ending.^[2]
2. (rhetoric) The rhythmic close of a sentence; the end of a line of verse.^[2]
3. A clause of a law or document.^[2]
4. An end, extremity.^[2]

Related words

• claudō
• clausūra
• clausus
• English clause

References

1. ^ a b c d 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. ^ Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
4. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
5. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
8. ^ 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
9. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com