Etymologically
Log in

collectivus

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.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kɔl.leːkˈtiː.wʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [kol.lekˈtiː.vus][1]

Forms

collēctīvus (feminine collēctīva, neuter collēctīvum); first/second-declension adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from ⟨collēctus⟩, the participle of colligō “to gather together”, with the suffix -īvus.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Seneca, whom he dates 4 BC–65 AD.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant proceeding by inference, deductive.[2]

Medieval Latin used it for comprehensive, synthetical.[5] British Medieval Latin used it in logic and grammar for collective, aggregative.[6] It was borrowed into Spanish colectivo, and through Old French collectif it gave English collective in the early 15th century, first meaning “comprehensive”.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it.[4]
  • early 15th century – English collective is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Inferential, deductive.[2]
  2. (Medieval Latin) Comprehensive, (grammar) collective.[5][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c 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 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 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