dispensarius

Forms

dispēnsārius m (genitive dispēnsāriī); second declension^[1][2] A variant despensarius is also recorded.^[1][2]

Etymology

It is a medieval derivative from Latin dispēnsō (“to weigh out, distribute, manage”).^[1] The DMLBS refers to dispēnsātor, the Classical word for a steward, and Du Cange equates the two.^[3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The earliest record the DMLBS gives is a charter of an earl of Warenne of about 1130, which names a man Osmundus dispensarius, a steward or store-keeper.^[3]

Semantic evolution

The word named the official who looked after the stores and expenses of a household, an estate or a church: a steward or bursar.^[5][2][3] In England it developed into a surname,^[3] and Du Cange compares French despensier and English Spencer.^[4] A charter of 1233 uses it for a financial administrator.^[2]

A later, ecclesiastical sense is a person who has received a dispensation.^[3][1] The Bohemian medieval lexicon also records it for a person who spends a great deal.^[6]

Timeline

• c. 1130 – A charter of an earl of Warenne names a steward dispensarius.^[3]
• 1219 – A comital charter lists a dispensarius among the witnesses.^[3]
• 1233 – A charter uses it for an administrator who pays out money.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. A steward, store-keeper or bursar of a household or institution.^[5][2][3]
2. A person who has received a dispensation.^[3][1]
3. A person who spends much.^[6]

Related words

• dispēnsātor

References

1. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
2. ^ a b c d e f Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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
4. ^ a b du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
5. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
6. ^ a b Latinitatis medii aevi lexicon Bohemorum / Slovník středověké latiny v českých zemích (1977–), Prague: Academia; electronic version, Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences