contradico

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [kɔn.traːˈdiː.koː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [kon.traˈdiː.ko]^[1]

Forms

contrādīcō (present infinitive contrādīcere, perfect active contrādīxī, supine contrādictum); third conjugation, irregular short imperative^[1]

Etymology

It is from contrā “against” and dīcō “to say”.^[2][1][3] Its parts are often written apart in classical texts.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Cicero, of speaking against a measure.^[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to speak against, oppose a measure, claim or law, as in Cicero, and in Ulpian to contradict a person, and in law to speak against one's opponent.^[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to contradict, oppose, resist, object to.^[5] It survives in Italian contraddire, French contredire and Spanish contradecir, and its participle contrādictus gave English contradict in the 1570s.^[1][3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of opposing a measure.^[2][4]
• before 223 AD – Ulpian uses it of contradicting a person.^[2][4]
• 1570s – English contradict is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Verb

1. To speak against, oppose.^[2]
2. To contradict.^[2]

Word family

• contrādīcibilis
• contrādictiō
• contrādictor

Related words

• dīcō
• English contradict
• English contradiction

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h 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. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson