dictatrix

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [dɪkˈtaː.triːks]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [dikˈtaː.triks]^[1]

Forms

dictātrīx f (genitive dictātrīcis, masculine dictātor); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin dictō (“to dictate, prescribe”) + -trīx, a feminine of dictātor.^[2][1] ⟨dictō⟩ is a frequentative of dīcō (“to say”), which de Vaan traces to Proto-Italic *deik-e/o- (“to say”), from Proto-Indo-European *deyḱ-e/o-.^[3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its earliest source is Plautus' Persa, where it is a comic feminine of dictātor.^[2][5][6] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[6]

Semantic evolution

In Plautus it was a jocular “dictatress”.^[2][5] British Medieval Latin used it figuratively for a directress.^[7]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^[5][6]

Meanings

Noun

1. (comic) A dictatress.^[2][5]
2. (Medieval Latin) A directress.^[7]

Related words

• dictātor

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. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
5. ^ a b c d Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
7. ^ a b 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