consecutivus

Forms

cōnsecūtīvus (feminine cōnsecūtīva, neuter cōnsecūtīvum); first/second-declension adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin cōnsequor (“to follow, ensue”) + -īvus, built on the past participle stem ⟨cōnsecūt-⟩.^[1][2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is a Medieval Latin word.^[1][2] Köbler's first source is John of Salisbury, about 1160;^[2] the MLW also quotes Wolbero, of the mid 12th century, who uses the neuter as a noun, “a consequence”.^[4][2]

Semantic evolution

It meant “following”: of time, in the ages that follow,^[4] and of effect, “resulting from, consequent on”.^[4][5] John of Salisbury uses the neuter plural for the consequences that follow from principles, and a Gascon roll of 1283 speaks of a deed “and its consequences”.^[5] The neuter could also mean consequence or logical sequence, and the superstructure that rests on a foundation.^[4] Later writers used it of a necessity that follows from a cause, and in grammar of words that express a consequence.^[5][4]

French made consécutif from it in the 16th century, and English took consecutive from French in the 1610s.^[3]

Timeline

• mid 12th century – Wolbero uses the neuter for a consequence.^[4][2]
• c. 1160 – John of Salisbury uses the neuter plural for consequences.^[5][2]
• 1235–1249 – Alexander Minorita uses it of the ages that follow.^[4][2]
• 1283 – A Gascon roll speaks of a deed and its consequences.^[5]
• 1610s – English borrows consecutive from French.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (Medieval Latin) Following, consequent in time.^[4][5][1]
2. (Medieval Latin) Resulting, consequential.^[4][5][1]
3. (Medieval Latin, grammar) Expressing a consequence; consecutive.^[5][4]

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin, neuter) A consequence; logical sequence.^[4][5]
2. (Medieval Latin, neuter) That which rests on a foundation, a superstructure.^[4]

Related words

• English consecutive

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 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 h i j k l Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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