Etymologically
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edico

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 15:18. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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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

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