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cupiditas

Etymology and origin of the Latin word cupiditas

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Plautus
Ultimate origin
Latin (cupiō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kʊˈpɪ.dɪ.taːs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [kuˈpiː.di.tas][1]

Forms

cupiditās f (genitive cupiditātis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from cupidus “desirous” with the suffix -tās.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of immoderate desire.[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant immoderate desire, lust, greed, as in Plautus, and in Cicero passionate longing, desire for wealth, avarice, and the object of one's desire.[2] Döderlein explains that cupīdō is desire seen as active, cupiditās the passion of desire as a state.[5]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant eager desire, greed, avarice.[6] British Medieval Latin used it for greed, covetousness, also personified.[7] It survives in Old French coveitié and Italian cupidigia, and through Anglo-French it gave English cupidity in the mid-15th century.[1][3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of greed.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of longing and avarice.[2][4]
  • mid-15th century – English cupidity is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Longing, yearning.[2]
  2. Immoderate desire, lust.[2]
  3. Greed, avarice, cupidity.[2]
  4. The object of desire.[2]

Usage notes

Döderlein distinguishes it from cupīdō.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e 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 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. ^ a b Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  7. ^ 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
Cite this entry

“Cupiditas.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/cupiditas. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·