dominatio

Forms

dominātiō f (genitive dominātiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from dominor “to rule” with the suffix -tiō.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero.^[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant the authority of a head of household, and the position of an absolute ruler, despotism, as in Cicero.^[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant domination, rule, sovereignty.^[5] Medieval Latin used it for a lord's power over his vassal, feudal suzerainty, a bishop's spiritual power, a lordship and an estate.^[6] British Medieval Latin used it for lordship and coercion.^[7] It survives in Italian dominazione and French domination, and through Old French it gave English domination in the late 14th century.^[1][3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of despotism.^[2][4]
• late 14th century – English domination is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. The authority of a head of household.^[2]
2. Absolute rule, despotism.^[2]
3. (Medieval Latin) Lordship; suzerainty; an estate.^[6]

Related words

• dominor
• dominus
• English domination

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f 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 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. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
7. ^ 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