Etymologically
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editor

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 15 October 2026 at 23:25. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Forms

ēditor m (genitive ēditōris); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin ēdō (“to put forth, produce”) + -tor,[2] from ē- and dō “to give”.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Lucan calls the river Sarnus the producer of the night breezes.[2][4] Köbler dates Lucan 39–65 AD.[5]

Semantic evolution

In Lucan it meant one who brings forth or produces.[2][6] In the Historia Augusta and in inscriptions it was the giver of public games, an exhibitor.[2][4][3]

In Late and medieval Latin it was a creator or founder, used of God, and the one who issues a book, a publisher or author.[7][8] Anselm asks what the author of a pamphlet would answer.[8] Its descendants include Italian editore and Spanish editor.[1]

Timeline

  • 39–65 AD – Lucan uses it of a river producing breezes.[2][5]
  • 4th/5th century AD – The Historia Augusta uses it of a giver of games.[4][5]

Meanings

Noun

  1. One who produces or brings forth.[2][6]
  2. The giver of public games, an exhibitor.[2][4]
  3. (Late Latin) A publisher, editor; an author.[1][8]
  4. (Medieval Latin) A creator, founder.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  4. ^ a b c d Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  7. ^ a b Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  8. ^ a b c 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