dubitatio

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [dʊ.bɪˈtaː.ti.oː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [du.biˈtat.t͡si.o]^[1]

Forms

dubitātiō f (genitive dubitātiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from dubitō “to doubt, waver” with the suffix -tiō; ⟨dubitō⟩ is from dubius “doubtful”, which de Vaan traces to Proto-Indo-European *dwi-bʰh₂u-o- (“double”).^[2][1][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's earliest source is the historian Sisenna, whom he dates 120–67 BC.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It was a state of uncertainty, doubt, as in Cicero's dubitātiōnem afferre “to raise doubt”; and doubt about acting, wavering, hesitation, as in Varro.^[2][5]

British Medieval Latin used it for doubt and uncertainty, also in theology, and as a term of rhetoric.^[6] English dubitation (early 15th century) came through Old French and directly from Latin.^[7]

Timeline

• 120–67 BC – Sisenna uses it.^[3]
• 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of hesitation.^[2][3]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of doubt.^[2][3]
• early 15th century – English dubitation is recorded.^[7]

Meanings

Noun

1. Doubt, uncertainty.^[2]
2. Hesitation, wavering.^[2]
3. (rhetoric) A figure of doubt.^[6]

Related words

• dubitō
• dubius
• English dubitation

References

1. ^ a b c d 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 d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
5. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ a b 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
7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com