Etymologically
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correspondeo

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Pronunciation

  • Classical: [kɔr.rɛsˈpɔn.de.oː][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [kor.resˈpɔn.de.o][1]

Forms

correspondeō (present infinitive correspondēre, perfect active correspondī, supine correspōnsum); second conjugation, no passive[1]

Etymology

It is a Medieval Latin compound, from Latin con- + respondeō (“to answer”).[1][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Among the MLW's first examples are a treatise on music theory, in which a long note of the motet correspondet to a long note of the tenor,[3] and Albertus Magnus (13th century), who speaks of organs in lower animals that correspond to the heart and brain.[3][4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to correspond, agree, match:[3][1] Albertus Magnus wants the punishment to match the size of the fault.[3] The participle was used as a noun for a copy of a document,[3] and Ecclesiastical Latin has it in the sense “to answer strongly”.[5] The humanists Coluccio Salutati and Pico della Mirandola used it of harmonies and of correspondences between orders of beings.[6]

English borrowed correspond in the 1520s, from French or directly from Medieval Latin.[2]

Timeline

  • 13th century – Albertus Magnus uses it of corresponding organs.[3][4]
  • 1520s – English borrows correspond.[2]

Meanings

Verb

  1. (Medieval Latin) To correspond, agree, match.[3][1][6]
  2. (Medieval Latin) To harmonize.[1]
  3. (Medieval Latin) To belong (to).[3]
  4. (Ecclesiastical Latin) To answer, respond strongly.[5][6]
  • English correspond

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ a b c Ramminger, Johann, Neulateinische Wortliste: Ein Wörterbuch des Lateinischen von Petrarca bis 1700, www.neulatein.de