declaratio

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [deː.kɫaːˈraː.ti.oː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [de.klaˈrat.t͡si.o]^[1]

Forms

dēclārātiō f (genitive dēclārātiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from dēclārō “to make clear” with the suffix -tiō, from clārus “clear”.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC, and Lewis & Short cite his dēclārātiō animī tuī “the disclosure of your feelings”.^[4][5]

Semantic evolution

It meant the act of making known, a revelation, disclosure, announcement.^[2] Lewis & Short call it very rare.^[5]

British Medieval Latin used it for revelation, elucidation, the clarification of a decision, and a legal declaration.^[6] It survives in Italian dichiarazione and Spanish declaración, and through Old French it gave English declaration in the late 14th century, “an explanation, a statement”.^[1][3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.^[4][5]
• late 14th century – English declaration is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A making known, disclosure, declaration.^[2]
2. (Medieval Latin) An explanation; a legal declaration.^[6]

Related words

• dēclārō
• clārus
• English declaration

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b 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