Etymologically
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compatibilis

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Pronunciation

  • Classical: [kɔm.paˈtɪ.bɪ.lɪs][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [kom.paˈtiː.bi.lis][1]

Forms

compatibilis (neuter compatibile); third-declension two-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin compatior (“to suffer with; to be compatible”) + -bilis, a medieval Latin adjective.[2][3] Wiktionary analyses it instead as con- and patibilis (“endurable”), in the sense “enduring each other”.[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The earliest example in the sources is in a document of 1348, which allows someone to hold two or three church benefices together if they are compatibilia.[4]

Semantic evolution

It was above all a term of church law, used of benefices that one person could hold at the same time:[5][4][6] in 1384 a bishop of Hereford orders an inquiry into whether certain clergy held other benefices and whether these were compatible or not.[5][2] A Polish document of 1534 uses it more generally of an occupation that can be combined with another.[4] Köbler also glosses it “sympathetic, compassionate”, the sense of its base.[2]

English compatible, “able to exist together in harmony”, comes from it in the mid-15th century.[3]

Timeline

  • 1348 – A document uses it of church benefices that can be held together.[4]
  • 1384 – The register of a bishop of Hereford asks whether benefices are compatible.[5][2]
  • mid-15th century – English compatible is borrowed.[3]
  • 1534 – A Polish document uses it of occupations that can be combined.[4]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (Medieval Latin, canon law) Able to be held together with another (of benefices); jointly tenable.[5][4][6][1]
  2. (Medieval Latin) Compatible, able to be combined with something else.[4][1]
  3. (Medieval Latin) Sympathetic, compassionate.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
  5. ^ a b c d 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 Latinitatis medii aevi lexicon Bohemorum / Slovník středověké latiny v českých zemích (1977–), Prague: Academia; electronic version, Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences