Etymologically
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distinctus

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [dɪsˈtiːŋk.tʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [disˈtiŋk.tus][1]

Forms

distīnctus (feminine distīncta, neuter distīnctum, comparative distīnctior, superlative distīnctissimus); first/second-declension adjective[1]

Etymology

It is the participle of distinguō “to separate, distinguish”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Lucretius, of things different in nature.[2] Köbler's first source is Cicero; he dates Lucretius 96–55 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant different, distinct, as in Lucretius, and in Livy standing apart from each other.[2] In Cicero it meant definite, precise, methodical, of speech or behaviour.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant adorned, separated, distinct, clear.[5] Medieval Latin used it for distinct, explicit.[6] It survives in Italian and Spanish distinto and French distinct, and English distinct is recorded from the late 14th century.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of the different.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the precise.[2][4]
  • late 14th century – English distinct is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Separate, apart.[2]
  2. Different, distinct.[2]
  3. Definite, precise; methodical.[2]

Usage notes

A noun distinctus, -ūs means a marking off, distinctive character.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill