determinatio

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [deː.tɛr.mɪˈnaː.ti.oː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [de.ter.miˈnat.t͡si.o]^[1]

Forms

dēterminātiō f (genitive dēterminātiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from dēterminō “to bound, limit” with the suffix -tiō, from terminus “boundary”.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of a boundary and of the end of a speech.^[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant the fixing of a boundary, a boundary, as in Cicero's extrēma ōra et dēterminātiō mundī “the outer edge and boundary of the world”, and in rhetoric an end, conclusion.^[2][5]

In Medieval Latin it meant a judgement, a decree, a legal provision, and a condition.^[6] British Medieval Latin used it for limitation, the fixing of a time, and in logic qualification.^[7] Through Old French it gave English determination in the mid-14th century, first “a decision, a judicial settlement”.^[3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.^[2][4]
• mid-14th century – English determination is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A boundary; a fixing of limits.^[2]
2. (rhetoric) A conclusion.^[2]
3. (Medieval Latin) A judgement, decree.^[6]

Related words

• dēterminō
• terminus
• English determination

References

1. ^ a b c d 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 Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b 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. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
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