Etymologically
Log in

demolitio

History Permalink

Etymology and origin of the Latin word demolitio

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
81–43 BC, Cicero
Ultimate origin
Latin dēmōlior
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin molior
Latin demolior
Latin demolitio
From the same root
Latin amolior ← molior
Latin molitor ← molior

Forms

dēmōlītiō f (genitive dēmōlītiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin dēmōlior + -tiō,[2][1][3] the noun of action of dēmōlior (“to throw off, demolish”).[4] That verb is a compound of dē- and mōlior (“to labour, build up”), from mōlēs (“mass; effort”).[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in Cicero's speeches against Verres, of the pulling down of statues.[2][4][3][6]

Semantic evolution

It was always rare.[4] Cicero also uses it of temple approaches removed by demolition, and Vitruvius of people who lacked iron tools for demolition.[2][3] Tertullian uses it figuratively, of an undermining of the truth.[4]

In medieval Latin it meant destruction and devastation, and the undermining of a wall; in the sense of mōlītiō it could also mean a plot or intrigue.[7] English demolition comes from it through French.[8]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the pulling down of statues.[2][6]
  • c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it in his work on architecture.[2][6]
  • c. 160–220 AD – Tertullian uses it figuratively, of the truth.[4][6]
  • 1230 – An imperial act uses it of the destruction of a house.[7]
  • 1540s – English demolition appears, from French.[8]

Meanings

Noun

  1. The act of demolishing, pulling down.[2][4][3]
  2. (figurative) An undermining.[4]
  3. (Medieval Latin) Destruction, devastation.[7]
  4. (Medieval Latin) A plot, intrigue.[7]
  • English demolition

References

  1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  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 d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  7. ^ a b c d Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  8. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
Cite this entry

“Demolitio.” Etymologically, 24 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/demolitio. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·