compositum

Forms

compositum n (genitive compositī); second declension^[1] Also spelled conpositum.^[2]

Etymology

It is the neuter of compositus, the participle of compōnō “to put together”, used as a noun.^[2][1] ⟨compōnō⟩ is from con- and pōnō (“to put”); de Vaan explains ⟨pōnō⟩ from ⟨*po-sinō⟩ “to put down”.^[1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Sallust, ex compositō “by arrangement”, and of law and order.^[2] Köbler dates Sallust 86–34 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

In the phrases ex compositō and dē compositō it meant by prearrangement, in concert, as in Sallust and Livy; in the plural, a settled or peaceful situation, law and order, as in Sallust; and in Pliny a compounded medicine.^[2]

Timeline

• 86–34 BC – Sallust uses ex compositō.^[2][4]
• 23/24–79 AD – Pliny uses it of a compound medicine.^[2][4]

Meanings

Noun

1. A compounded medicament.^[2]
2. ex compositō, dē compositō: by prearrangement, in concert.^[2]
3. (plural) A settled situation, law and order, security.^[2]

Related words

• compōnō
• compositus
• pōnō

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de