Etymologically
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dubitatio

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 18:56. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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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]

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