discussio

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [dɪsˈkʊs.si.oː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [disˈkus.si.o]^[1]

Forms

discussiō f (genitive discussiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin discutiō (“to strike apart, shatter”) + -tiō.^[2][1] Discutiō is from dis- and quatiō “to shake”.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Seneca the Younger, in the Natural Questions, uses it of a shaking.^[4][5] Köbler dates Seneca 4 BC–65 AD.^[6]

Semantic evolution

In Classical Latin it is very rare and means a shaking or vibration.^[2][4] Caelius Aurelianus uses it in medicine of an expelling of seed.^[7]

In Late Latin it took the place of disputatio and quaestio for an examination or discussion, as in Macrobius and Tertullian.^[4][5] In the later empire it was the revision of public accounts in the provinces for the assessment and collection of taxes, in Symmachus and the Code of Justinian.^[4][5] In medieval Latin it meant an inquiry, the examination of an accused person by hearing or ordeal, and in medicine a separation or secretion.^[8][9] English discussion came from Old French and Medieval Latin in the mid-14th century, first of an examination or judicial trial.^[3]

Timeline

• 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca the Younger uses it of a shaking.^[4][6]
• 1st half of the 5th century AD – Macrobius uses it of an examination.^[4][6]
• 5th century AD – Caelius Aurelianus uses it in medicine.^[7][6]
• 528–534 AD – The Code of Justinian uses it of the revision of accounts.^[4][6]
• mid-14th century – English discussion is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A shaking, vibration.^[2][1]
2. (Late Latin) An examination, discussion.^[4][1]
3. (Late Latin) A revision of provincial accounts; an audit.^[4][5]
4. (Medieval Latin) The trial of an accused person.^[8]

Related words

• discutio
• English discussion

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c 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 d e f g h i Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c d Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
7. ^ a b Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
8. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
9. ^ Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften