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divisio

Etymology and origin of the Latin word divisio

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Varro
Ultimate origin
Latin (dīvidō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [diːˈwiː.si.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [diˈviː.s̬i.o][1]

Forms

dīvīsiō f (genitive dīvīsiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from dīvidō “to divide” with the suffix -tiō.[2][1][3] Quintilian has ⟨-viss-⟩.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Varro, of cutting and of division.[2] Köbler's first source is Cicero; he dates Varro 116–27 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant separating into parts by cutting, in Varro division into parts, the division of a motion in the Senate, and classification.[2] In Cicero it meant the division of a speech's subject.[2] From the Rhetorica ad Herennium it meant separation, a distinction, and a distribution, partition, as in Tacitus.[2][5] In Vitruvius it meant the layout of a site and a compartment.[2] Döderlein explains that dīvidere merely breaks a whole into parts, while partīrī divides in order to distribute.[6]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a part, division, portion.[7] Medieval Latin used it for dissension, a schism, and a place of separation.[8] It survives in Italian divisione and French division, and English division came in the late 14th century.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of division.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of dividing a subject.[2][4]
  • 98–115 AD – Tacitus uses it of partition.[5][4]
  • late 14th century – English division is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Cutting apart.[2]
  2. Division into parts; classification; a class.[2]
  3. Separation; a distinction.[2]
  4. Distribution, partition; layout.[2]
  5. A compartment.[2]
  6. (Medieval Latin) Dissension, schism.[8]

Usage notes

Döderlein distinguishes dīvidō from partior, to divide in order to share.[6]

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 k l m n 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ a b Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  8. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
Cite this entry

“Divisio.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/divisio. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·