doctrina

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [dɔkˈtriː.na]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [dokˈtriː.na]^[1]

Forms

doctrīna f (genitive doctrīnae); first declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from doceō “to teach”, through doctor “teacher”, with the suffix ⟨-īna⟩.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of teaching.^[2] Köbler's first source is Cicero; he dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant teaching, instruction, as in Plautus, and in Cicero what is taught, with studium doctrīnae learned study.^[2] In Pliny the Elder it meant a sect, and in Cicero learning and a branch of learning.^[2] Döderlein explains that doctrīna is learning as a kind of training of the mind, ērudītiō its learned result.^[5]

In Christian Latin it meant religious teaching, doctrine, wisdom.^[6][7] British Medieval Latin used it for teaching and for Christian doctrine.^[8] It survives in Italian dottrina and Spanish doctrina, and through Old French it gave English doctrine in the late 14th century.^[1][3]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of teaching.^[2][4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of learning.^[2][4]
• late 14th century – English doctrine is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. Teaching, instruction.^[2]
2. What is taught, studium doctrīnae, learned study.^[2]
3. A sect.^[2]
4. Learning; a branch of learning.^[2]
5. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Religious doctrine.^[6]

Word family

• doctrīnālis

Related words

• doceō
• docilis
• docilitās
• doctor
• doctus
• disciplīna
• English doctrine

Usage notes

Döderlein distinguishes it from ērudītiō.^[5]

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. ^ a b Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
8. ^ 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