Etymologically
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consulatus

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 16:03. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kõː.sʊˈɫaː.tʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [kon.suˈlaː.tus][1]

Forms

cōnsulātus m (genitive cōnsulātūs); fourth declension[1]

Etymology

It is from cōnsul “consul” with the suffix -ātus.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cato, whom he dates 234–149 BC.[4] An early elogium of a consul has prīmō cōnsulātū Ligurēs subēgit “in his first consulship he subdued the Ligurians”.[2]

Semantic evolution

It meant the office of consul, the consulship, a term of office, and one's acts as consul, as Cicero's tertius cōnsulātus of Pompey.[2]

Medieval Latin had cōnsulātum dare, to throw money to the crowd as Roman consuls did on taking office, and used it for the office of a ruler's counsellor, a council of counsellors, and the dignity of a count.[5] British Medieval Latin used it for a civic office, in Rome and in Gascony.[6] It survives in Italian consolato and French consulat, and gave English consulate in the late 14th century, of the rule of the consuls at Rome.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 234–149 BC – Cato uses it.[4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a term as consul.[2][4]
  • late 14th century – English consulate is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. The consulship; a term as consul.[2]
  2. (Medieval Latin) The office of a ruler's counsellor; a council.[5]
  3. (Medieval Latin) A civic office, a consulate.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  6. ^ a b 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