definitio

Pronunciation

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

Forms

dēfīnītiō f (genitive dēfīnītiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from dēfīniō “to bound, define” with the suffix -tiō.^[2][1][3] Manuscripts often write ⟨diff-⟩.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from the Rhetorica ad Herennium, of an argument from definition, and Cicero, of a definition.^[2] Köbler dates the Rhetorica 86/82 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

In an inscription it meant the marking of a boundary.^[2][5] From Cicero it meant a precise description, definition, and a specification, classification, and in rhetoric an argument from the definition of a term.^[2][6] In Gellius and Pliny it meant an authoritative ruling.^[2] Isidore calls it the philosophers' tool for explaining what a thing is.^[7]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a definition, determination, measure.^[8] Medieval Latin used it for fixing a time, a resolution, and a definition.^[9] It survives in Italian definizione and French définition, and English definition came in the late 14th century, “decision, setting of boundaries”.^[1][3]

Timeline

• 86/82 BC – The Rhetorica ad Herennium uses it in rhetoric.^[2][4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a definition.^[2][4]
• c. 165 AD – Gellius uses it of a ruling.^[2][4]
• late 14th century – English definition is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. The marking of a boundary.^[2]
2. A definition; a specification.^[2]
3. (rhetoric) An argument from definition.^[2]
4. A ruling.^[2]

Related words

• dēfīniō
• fīnis
• English definition
• English define

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 k l m 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 d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
7. ^ Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
8. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
9. ^ Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill