Etymologically
Log in

energia

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 15 October 2026 at 23:44. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ɛ.nɛrˈɡiː.a][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [e.nerˈd͡ʒiː.a][1]

Forms

energīa f (genitive energīae); first declension[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek ἐνέργεια (enérgeia, “activity, operation”),[2][3][4] from ἐνεργής (energḗs, “active”), from ἐν (en, “in”) and ἔργον (érgon, “work”).[4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Jerome uses it in his letters.[2][6] Köbler dates Jerome c. 383–419/420 AD.[4]

Semantic evolution

It was a late word for energy, efficiency or force, in Jerome and other Church writers.[2][3][6] Isidore uses it as a figure of speech, the vivid presentation of events as if before the eyes.[7]

In medieval Latin it was power, operation, efficacy, force and authority, and also inspiration.[8] British writers used it of energy and strength and, in philosophy, of actuality.[9] English energy is recorded in the 1590s as force of expression, through French énergie.[5]

Timeline

  • c. 383–419/420 AD – Jerome uses it.[2][4]
  • c. 560–636 AD – Isidore uses it as a figure of speech.[7][4]
  • 1590s – English energy is recorded.[5]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Energy, force, efficiency.[2][1]
  2. (rhetoric) Vivid description.[7]
  3. (Medieval Latin, philosophy) Actuality.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon 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 e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  6. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  7. ^ a b c Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
  8. ^ Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  9. ^ 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