correlatio

Forms

correlātiō f (genitive correlātiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is a Medieval Latin formation, from Latin com- (“with, together”) + relātiō (“relation, reference”).^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its earliest record is in the Pseudo-Bedan De mundi constitutione of the early 12th century,^[2][1] where the souls descending to earth take something from each planetary sphere, from that of Saturn correlatio, explained as the gathering of like things: a power of comparison, by which one thing is proved through its likeness to another.^[3]

Semantic evolution

In 13th-century logic and philosophy it became the mutual relation of two correlative terms: Albertus Magnus uses it of sense and its object, of genus and species, and of opposed relations.^[3][2] In British sources it is used of the two sides of predestination, and Robert Grosseteste speaks of parent and child joined by their mutual correlatio.^[4] Outside the schools a charter of 1276 uses it of the mutual affection of father and children, a sense Du Cange glosses with Italian correlazione and French correspondance.^[5] English correlation came in the 1560s from French corrélation.^[6]

Timeline

• early 12th century – Pseudo-Bede uses it for a faculty of comparing like things.^[2][3]
• 13th century – Albertus Magnus uses it in logic for the mutual relation of correlatives.^[3][2]
• c. 1240 – Robert Grosseteste writes of parent and child joined by their correlatio.^[4]
• 1276 – A charter speaks of the correlatio of mutual affection between father and sons.^[5]
• 1560s – English adopts correlation from French.^[6]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin, logic) Correlation, the mutual relation of correlative terms.^[3][4][1]
2. (Medieval Latin) Mutual relation in general.^[4][5]
3. (Medieval Latin, philosophy) The power of comparison, gathering like things together.^[3]

Related words

• relatio
• correspondentia
• English correlation

References

1. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
2. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
3. ^ a b c d e f Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
4. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b c du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com