edico

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [eːˈdiː.koː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [eˈdiː.ko]^[1]

Forms

ēdīcō (present infinitive ēdīcere, perfect active ēdīxī, supine ēdictum); third conjugation, irregular short imperative^[1] An inscription has exd-; the imperative is ēdīce, as in Virgil.^[2]

Etymology

It is from ex- “out” and dīcō “to say”.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Naevius, of a magistrate's proclamation.^[2] Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant, of magistrates and other authorities, to give public notice of, decree, proclaim, as in Naevius, and in Plautus to declare publicly.^[2] In Apuleius it seems to mean to sing out the words of a song.^[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to publish, decide, determine.^[5] Its neuter participle ēdictum “proclamation” gave English edict, as edit in the late 13th century and edycte in the late 15th.^[3]

Timeline

• c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it of a proclamation.^[2][4]
• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of declaring.^[2][4]
• late 13th century – English edict is recorded, as edit.^[3]

Meanings

Verb

1. To proclaim, decree.^[2]
2. To declare publicly.^[2]

Word family

• ēdictiō
• ēdictō
• ēdictum

Related words

• abdīcō
• addīcō
• benedīcō
• condīcō
• contrādīcō
• dīcō
• ēdictālis
• indīcō
• interdīcō
• maledīcō
• English edict

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson