destructio

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [deːsˈtruːk.ti.oː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [desˈtruk.t͡si.o]^[1]

Forms

dēstrūctiō f (genitive dēstrūctiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from dēstruō “to pull down” with the suffix -tiō, from dē- and struō “to build”.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Suetonius, whom he dates c. 75–c. 150 AD, and Suetonius has dēstrūctiō mūrōrum “the pulling down of walls”.^[4][5]

Semantic evolution

It meant the pulling down of something, destruction, and in Quintilian refutation of an argument.^[2][6] The Vulgate uses it of the destruction of strongholds.^[5]

British Medieval Latin used it for demolition, unbuilding.^[7] Through Old French destruction it gave English destruction about 1300, “ruin”.^[3]

Timeline

• c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it of refutation.^[6][4]
• c. 75–c. 150 AD – Suetonius uses it of walls.^[5][4]
• c. 1300 – English destruction is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A pulling down, destruction.^[2]
2. Refutation.^[2]

Related words

• dēstruō
• struō
• English destruction

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d 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 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 Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
7. ^ 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