copio

Forms

cōpiō (present infinitive cōpiāre, perfect active cōpiāvī, supine cōpiātum); first conjugation^[1]

Etymology

It is a Medieval Latin verb from cōpia, which in Medieval Latin had come to mean a transcript or copy^[2][3] besides its classical sense “abundance”.^[3] The DMLBS files it with the classical deponent cōpior (“to furnish oneself with supplies”).^[4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The DMLBS's first dated example of the sense “to copy” is from 1329, in a letter of Canterbury about original charters shown to be inspected and copied.^[4]

Semantic evolution

Medieval Latin used it for transcribing documents and books:^[2][4] Richard de Bury, in his Philobiblon, forbids any book to be lent outside the house for copying, and notaries certified documents as copiata et examinata.^[4] In a satirical poem attributed to Walter Map it has the older sense “to enrich, supply lavishly”.^[4]

Timeline

• 1329 – A Canterbury letter speaks of charters to be inspected and copied.^[4]
• 1398 – Scottish exchequer rolls appoint persons to copy cockets.^[4]
• c. 1455 – A notary of Aberdeen signs a copy as copiata et examinata.^[4]

Meanings

Verb

1. (Medieval Latin) To copy, transcribe (a text or document).^[2][4][1]
2. (Medieval Latin) To enrich, supply lavishly.^[4]

Related words

• English copy

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
3. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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
5. ^ Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press