Etymologically
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constantia

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kõːˈstan.ti.a][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [konˈstan.t͡si.a][1]

Forms

cōnstantia f (genitive cōnstantiae); first declension[1]

Etymology

It is from cōnstāns “steady”, the participle of cōnstō “to stand firm”, with the suffix -ia.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of steadiness.[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant changelessness, steadiness, regularity, and steadfastness of conduct, as in Cicero.[2] In Cicero it also meant firmness of purpose, resolution, firmness of character, constancy, and consistency in opinions or statements.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant firmness, constancy.[4] British Medieval Latin used it for firmness of character, as a title and as a personal name.[5] It survives in Italian costanza, French constance and Spanish constancia, and English constancy is recorded from the 1520s.[1][6]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of steadiness and constancy.[2][3]
  • 1520s – English constancy is recorded.[6]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Steadiness, regularity.[2]
  2. Steadfastness, persistence.[2]
  3. Firmness of purpose, resolution.[2]
  4. Firmness of character, constancy.[2]
  5. Consistency.[2]

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 Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  5. ^ 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 Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com