Etymologically
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discretio

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [dɪsˈkreː.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [disˈkrɛt.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

discrētiō f (genitive discrētiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from discernō “to separate, distinguish” with the suffix -tiō; ⟨discernō⟩ is from dis- and cernō “to sift”.[2][1][3] De Vaan traces ⟨cernō⟩ to Proto-Indo-European *krey- (“to sift, separate”).[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Quintilian, of division into parts.[2] Köbler dates Quintilian c. 35–95/96 AD.[5]

Semantic evolution

A post-classical word, it was separation into parts, division, as in Quintilian and the Digest, and distinction, discrimination, as in Gellius, and Lewis & Short cite the separation of body and soul.[2][6][7]

In Christian and Medieval Latin it was the power of discernment; discretion, prudence, moderation; and judgment at one's discretion.[8][9] British Medieval Latin used it for separation, an interval, division, apportionment.[10] English discretion (about 1300, “ability to perceive and understand”) came through Old French and Medieval Latin.[3]

Timeline

  • c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it.[2][5]
  • c. 165 AD – Gellius uses it of distinction.[2][5]
  • c. 1300 – English discretion is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Separation, division.[2]
  2. Distinction, discrimination.[2]
  3. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Discernment; discretion, prudence.[8][9]

Word family

  • indiscrētiō

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g 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. ^ 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  8. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  9. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  10. ^ 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