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conditio

Etymology and origin of the Latin word conditio

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conditio1 seasoning; preserving

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Varro
Ultimate origin
Latin (condiō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kɔnˈdiː.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [konˈdit.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

condītiō f (genitive condītiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

This noun is from condiō “to season, preserve” with the suffix -tiō.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Varro, whom he dates 116–27 BC, and Varro uses it of preserving fruit.[3][4]

Semantic evolution

It meant the preserving of fruits, as in Varro, and the seasoning or flavouring of food and wine.[2][4][5]

Timeline

  • 116–27 BC – Varro uses it.[3][4]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Seasoning, flavouring.[2]
  2. A preserving (of fruit).[4]

conditio2 preserving; creation

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Tertullian
Ultimate origin
Latin (condō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kɔnˈdɪ.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [konˈdit.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

conditiō f (genitive conditiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

This noun is from condō “to put away, found” with the suffix -tiō.[2][1][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Tertullian, whom he dates c. 160–220 AD.[3]

Semantic evolution

The OLD gives a method of preserving food.[2] In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a making, creating, and a thing made, as in Tertullian and Prudentius, and the Vulgate has ā diē conditiōnis tuae “from the day of your creation”.[4][5]

In Medieval Latin it meant creation, a foundation, and a tribute.[7] In manuscripts and editions it is often written for condiciō “agreement, condition”, the source of English condition.[1][8]

Timeline

  • c. 160–220 AD – Tertullian uses it of creation.[3][4]
  • 390–406 AD – The Vulgate uses it of creation.[5][3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A method of preserving.[2]
  2. (Ecclesiastical Latin) A creating, creation; a thing made.[4][5]
  3. (Medieval Latin) A foundation; a tribute.[7]

Usage notes

The spelling conditiō for condiciō “agreement, condition” is common in manuscripts and older editions.[1][4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c d Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  7. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  8. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
Cite this entry

“Conditio.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/conditio. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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