Etymologically
Log in

considero

Etymology and origin of the Latin word considero

History Permalink
Confidence
Uncertain
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Cato

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kõːˈsiː.dɛ.roː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [konˈsiː.de.ro][1]

Forms

cōnsīderō (present infinitive cōnsīderāre, perfect active cōnsīderāvī, supine cōnsīderātum); first conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is from con- and an element *sīder-, perhaps from sīdus “star”, so that it first meant to observe the stars; compare dēsīderō.[2][1][3] Festus reports this explanation, and Gaffiot marks it with a query.[3][4] An inscription spells it ⟨cosider-⟩.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's first citations are from Cato, of observing and of taking care.[2] Köbler dates Cato 234–149 BC.[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant to look at attentively, examine, as Cicero's close examination of a candelabrum, to notice, and to reflect on, think about, as in Cicero.[2][4] It meant to investigate a problem, to judge from a point of view, to bear in mind, as in Terence, and to take care that, as in Cato.[2] Döderlein says cōnsīderāre is consideration as an act of the understanding, seeking to form a judgement.[6]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to consider, look, regard, contemplate.[7] It survives in French considérer, Italian considerare and Spanish considerar.[1] English consider came in the late 14th century.[8]

Timeline

  • 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of observing.[2][5]
  • 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of bearing in mind.[2][5]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of examining and reflecting.[2][4][5]
  • late 14th century – English consider is recorded.[8]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To look at closely, examine.[2]
  2. To notice.[2]
  3. To reflect on, consider.[2]
  4. To investigate; to judge.[2]
  5. To bear in mind; to take care (that).[2]

Word family

  • cōnsīderantia
  • cōnsīderātiō
  • cōnsīderātor
  • inconsiderans
  • incōnsīderātus

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  4. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  8. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
Cite this entry

“Considero.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/considero. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·