Etymologically
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distributio

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 18:04. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [dɪs.trɪˈbuː.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [dis.triˈbut.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

distribūtiō f (genitive distribūtiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from distribuō “to distribute” with the suffix -tiō, from dis- and tribuō “to allot”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from the Rhetorica ad Herennium, “division into parts”.[2] Köbler dates it 86/82 BC; his first source is Cicero.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant sharing out, distribution, allocation, as in Cicero, and division into parts, as in the Rhetorica ad Herennium, and Cicero has distribūtiō caelī “the division of the heavens”.[2][5] In Vitruvius it meant arrangement to a plan, and in Cicero logical classification.[2]

British Medieval Latin used it for distribution, apportionment, in grammar, and for a gift or allowance distributed.[6] Through Old French it gave English distribution in the mid-14th century.[3]

Timeline

  • 86/82 BC – The Rhetorica ad Herennium uses it.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of sharing out.[2][4]
  • mid-14th century – English distribution is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Distribution, allocation.[2]
  2. Arrangement.[2]
  3. Division; classification.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ 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