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communio

Etymology and origin of the Latin word communio

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communio1 to fortify

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Plautus
Ultimate origin
Latin (mūniō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kɔmˈmuː.ni.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [komˈmuː.ni.o][1]

Forms

commūniō (present infinitive commūnīre, perfect active commūnīvī, supine commūnītum); fourth conjugation[1] It is also spelled commoeniō.[2]

Etymology

The verb is from con- and mūniō “to fortify”.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of fortifying a place.[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant to surround a place with fortifications, to fortify, as in Plautus, and in Cicero figuratively to strengthen, reinforce.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to fortify, make very secure.[4]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of fortifying.[2][3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of strengthening.[2][3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To fortify.[2]
  2. To strengthen, reinforce.[2]

Word family

  • commūnītiō

communio2 sharing, communion

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Cicero
Ultimate origin
Latin (commūnis)

Forms

commūniō f (genitive commūniōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

The noun is from commūnis “common” with the suffix -iō.[2][1][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of sharing.[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant mutual participation, sharing of rights or ownership, and common qualities, kinship, as in Cicero, and in Apuleius a union.[2]

In Christian Latin it meant friendly intercourse, the union of Christians, and Holy Communion.[6] Ecclesiastical Latin uses it for communion, the sharing of the Eucharist, the spiritual bond among the baptized, and commūniō lāica the lay state.[4] British Medieval Latin used it for common ownership and participation in civic rights.[7] It survives in Italian comunione, French communion and Spanish comunión, and through Old French it gave English communion in the late 14th century.[1][5]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of sharing.[2][3]
  • c. 125–175 AD – Apuleius uses it of a union.[2][3]
  • late 14th century – English communion is recorded.[5]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Sharing, participation.[2]
  2. Kinship, association.[2]
  3. A union.[2]
  4. (Ecclesiastical Latin) The union of Christians, and Holy Communion.[6][4]

Word family

  • commūnītiō

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b c Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  5. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  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
Cite this entry

“Communio.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/communio. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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