Etymologically
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corporo

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 18:06. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈkɔr.pɔ.roː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈkɔr.po.ro][1]

Forms

corporō (present infinitive corporāre, perfect active corporāvī, supine corporātum); first conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is from corpus “body” with the verb suffix ⟨-ō⟩.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Ennius, “to strike dead”, that is, to make into a corpse.[2] Köbler dates Ennius 204–169 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

In Ennius it meant to kill.[2] In Pliny the Elder it meant to form into a body, give a body to, and in Apuleius to form a corporate society.[2]

Its participle corporātus gave English corporate in the early 15th century, “united in one body, constituted as a legal corporation”.[4] Its compound incorporō gave English incorporate.[4]

Timeline

  • 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of killing.[2][3]
  • 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses it of forming a body.[2][3]
  • early 15th century – English corporate is recorded.[4]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To strike dead.[2]
  2. To form into a body.[2]
  3. To form (a corporation).[2]

Word family

  • accorporō
  • concorporō
  • corporasco
  • corporātiō
  • corporatiuus
  • corporātūra
  • incorporō
  • recorporo

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com