dedico

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈdeː.dɪ.koː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈdɛː.di.ko]^[1]

Forms

dēdicō (present infinitive dēdicāre, perfect active dēdicāvī, supine dēdicātum); first conjugation^[1]

Etymology

It is from dē- and dicō “to proclaim, dedicate”.^[2][1][3] The TLL compares Oscan dadikatted (“dedicated”).^[4] De Vaan suggests that ⟨dicāre⟩ may be a back-formation from its compounds, from the root of ⟨dīcō⟩ “to say”.^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Accius, “to declare”, and Cato, of consecration.^[2] Köbler dates Cato 234–149 BC.^[6]

Semantic evolution

It meant to make clear, declare, as in Accius, and to dedicate to a god with religious rites, to consecrate, as in Cato.^[2] In Quintilian it meant to devote, apply to a purpose.^[2] Inscriptions often abbreviate it DED or D.^[2]

It survives in Italian dedicare and Spanish dedicar, and gave English dedicate in the early 15th century, of consecrating church buildings.^[1][3]

Timeline

• 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of consecration.^[2][6]
• 170–c. 90 BC – Accius uses it of declaring.^[2][6]
• early 15th century – English dedicate is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Verb

1. To proclaim, declare.^[2]
2. To dedicate, consecrate.^[2]
3. To devote, apply.^[2]

Word family

• dēdicātiō
• dēdicātīvus
• dēdicātor

Related words

• dēdicātīvē
• dēdicātus
• dicō
• English dedicate

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 j 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. ^ Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
5. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
6. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de