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clausus

Etymology and origin of the Latin word clausus

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Varro
Ultimate origin
Proto-Indo-European (*kleh₂w-)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈkɫau̯.sʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈklaːu̯.sus][1]

Forms

clausus (feminine clausa, neuter clausum, comparative clausior); first/second-declension participle[1] Also clūsus.[2]

Etymology

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

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's earliest source is Varro, whom the OLD cites for an enclosed space.[4][2] Köbler dates Varro 116–27 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

As an adjective it meant, of places, closed, inaccessible, as in Cicero; of a space, shut in, enclosed, as in Varro; and enclosed in a container, shut or locked up, as in Cicero.[2]

In British Medieval Latin it was a noun, a close, enclosure, from 1270.[5] Through Old French clos it gave English close (c. 1200), and it survives in French clos, Spanish lloso and Portuguese chouso.[6][1]

Timeline

  • 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of an enclosed space.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of closed places.[2][4]
  • c. 1200 – English close is recorded.[6]
  • 1270 – British records use it of an enclosure.[5]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (of places) Closed, inaccessible.[2]
  2. (of a space) Shut in, enclosed.[2]
  3. Shut or locked up.[2]

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) A close, enclosure.[5]

Word family

Usage notes

Clausus was also the name of a Sabine chief, Attus Clausus, reputed ancestor of the gens Claudia.[2][7]

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 j Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b c 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
  6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  7. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
Cite this entry

“Clausus.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/clausus. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·