Etymologically
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determinatio

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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]

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