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decretum

Etymology and origin of the Latin word decretum

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Cicero
Ultimate origin
Proto-Indo-European (*krey-)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [deːˈkreː.tũː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [deˈkrɛː.tum][1]

Forms

dēcrētum n (genitive dēcrētī); second declension[1]

Etymology

It is the neuter of dēcrētus, perfect participle of dēcernō “to decide, decree”, used as a noun; ⟨dēcernō⟩ is from dē- and cernō “to sift, decide”.[2][1][3] De Vaan traces ⟨cernō⟩ to Proto-Indo-European *krey- (“to sift, separate”).[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's earliest source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC, and the OLD's first citations are from Cicero.[5][2]

Semantic evolution

It was a binding decision, a decree of a magistrate, the senate or a court, as in Cicero and Caesar; a principle held with conviction, a doctrine, as in Cicero; and in Seneca a resolve.[2][6]

In the Church it was a decision of a council and a papal decree, and also the record of a bishop's election.[7] In Ecclesiastical Latin it was a decree, ordinance, principle, and in canon law a term covering laws, precepts and judicial decisions.[8] English decree came through Old French decret in the early 14th century, first of church ordinances.[3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.[2][5]
  • c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of decrees.[6][5]
  • early 14th century – English decree is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A decree, decision, ordinance.[2]
  2. A principle, doctrine, dogma.[2]
  3. A resolve.[2]
  4. (Ecclesiastical Latin) A conciliar or papal decree.[7][8]

Word family

  • dēcrētālis
  • dēcrētārius

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g 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. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  5. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  7. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  8. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
Cite this entry

“Decretum.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/decretum. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·