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comitor

Etymology and origin of the Latin word comitor

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Lucretius
Ultimate origin
Latin (comes)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈkɔ.mɪ.tɔr][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈkɔː.mi.tor][1]

Forms

comitor (present infinitive comitārī, perfect active comitātus sum); first conjugation, deponent[1]

Etymology

It is from comes “companion” with the verb suffix ⟨-or⟩.[2][1] De Vaan explains ⟨comes⟩ as ⟨com-⟩ with the root for “to go”, “one who goes with”.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Lucretius, “to accompany”.[2] Köbler dates Lucretius 96–55 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to go along with, accompany, attend, as in Lucretius, and to escort, as in Tacitus.[2] Virgil used it for joining in an enterprise or sharing a fate, Propertius of gods attending with their influence, and Cicero of qualities attending someone.[2] Pliny the Elder used it of things carried with someone and of things occurring together.[2]

The collective comitātus gave English comitatus in 1875 and survives in posse comitatus.[5]

Timeline

  • 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of qualities.[2][4]
  • 98–115 AD – Tacitus uses it of escorting.[2][4]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To accompany, attend.[2]
  2. To escort.[2]
  3. To share in.[2]
  4. To go with, be associated with.[2]

Word family

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 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. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
Cite this entry

“Comitor.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/comitor. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·