elementum

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɛ.ɫɛˈmɛn.tũː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [e.leˈmɛn.tum]^[1]

Forms

elementum n (genitive elementī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

The origin is uncertain; the OLD marks it as doubtful, Köbler as unknown.^[2][3] One idea derives it from the letters L, M, N, recited when learning the alphabet, but Wiktionary notes that there is no evidence for such a use in the Latin alphabet.^[1] Another makes it a coinage translating Ancient Greek στοιχεῖον (stoikheîon, “element, letter”), which has the same two meanings, modelled on alimentum “nourishment” from alō.^[1] Lewis and Short derive it from the root of ⟨alō⟩.^[4] The TLL reports Diels' derivation from an unattested *elepantum, an ivory letter, from Ancient Greek ἐλέφας (eléphas, “elephant, ivory”).^[5][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Lucilius, whom he dates c. 180–102 BC.^[3] The OLD's earliest citations for the main senses are from Cicero and Lucretius.^[2]

Semantic evolution

It meant one of the four elements, earth, air, fire and water, and more widely a component or ingredient, as in Pliny.^[2] In Lucretius' Epicurean system it meant an atom or particle, and also a letter of the alphabet.^[2] In the plural it meant the basic principles of a science or of education, rudiments, as Horace's children learning their elementa prima, and figuratively the first beginnings of a thing, as in Ovid.^[2] Döderlein explains that it is the smallest part of language or of knowledge, as littera is of writing, like Greek stoikheîon.^[6]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant an element, a first principle.^[7] British Medieval Latin used it of the four elements, including those of the human body and of the weather.^[8] It survives in Italian and Spanish elemento and French élément; English element came through Old French about 1300.^[1][9]

Timeline

• c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius has the word.^[3]
• 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of atoms and of letters.^[2][3]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the four elements and of first principles.^[2][3]
• c. 1300 – English element is recorded, through Old French.^[9]

Meanings

Noun

1. One of the four elements, earth, air, fire and water; a component, ingredient.^[2]
2. (Epicurean philosophy) An atom, particle.^[2]
3. A letter of the alphabet.^[2]
4. (plural) First principles, rudiments; first beginnings.^[2]

Word family

• elementārius
• elementicius

Related words

• elementāris
• alimentum
• English element
• English elementary

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 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. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
6. ^ Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
8. ^ 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
9. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com