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consuetudo

Etymology and origin of the Latin word consuetudo

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Terence
Ultimate origin
Latin (suēscō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kõː.sʷeːˈtuː.doː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [kon.sʷeˈtuː.do][1]

Forms

cōnsuētūdō f (genitive cōnsuētūdinis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from cōnsuēscō “to become accustomed” with the suffix -tūdō, and cōnsuēscō is from con- and suēscō “to grow used to”.[1][2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's first citations are from Terence, of a habitual practice.[2] Köbler's first source is Cicero.[4] Köbler dates Terence 190–159 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant a habitual practice, custom, habit, and the general practice of society, convention, also custom as a source of law and in grammar the normal manner of speaking, as in Varro.[2] It also meant habitual use or experience of something, a disposition acquired by repetition, as Plautus' habit, and familiarity, being used to a thing.[2] Of persons it meant familiar intercourse, intimacy, and a love affair or sexual relationship, as in Terence.[2] Cicero says custom produces a sort of second nature.[3] Döderlein says cōnsuētūdō is a custom arising from an individual's or people's inclination, while mōs is a custom with moral force.[5]

In Medieval Latin it meant customary law, a particular rule of it, and the customary dues taken by a lord.[6][7] Through a Vulgar Latin form *consuetumen it became Old French costume, the source of English custom about 1200, and French and Italian costume.[8][1] English consuetude was borrowed in the late 14th century.[8]

Timeline

  • 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of habits and love affairs.[2][4]
  • 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of linguistic usage.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero calls custom a second nature.[3][4]
  • c. 1200 – English custom is recorded.[8]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A custom, habit, usual practice.[2]
  2. Social convention; custom as a source of law; linguistic usage.[2]
  3. Habitual practice or use; acquired habit.[2]
  4. Knowledge from experience.[2]
  5. Familiar intercourse, intimacy; a love affair.[2]
  6. (Medieval Latin) Customary law; customary dues.[6]

Word family

  • cōnsuētūdinārius

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 Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  4. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  7. ^ 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
  8. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
Cite this entry

“Consuetudo.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/consuetudo. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·