eulogium

Forms

eulogium n (genitive eulogiī); second declension^[1][2] Medieval texts also spell it aelogium and eologium.^[3][4]

Etymology

It is probably borrowed from Ancient Greek εὐλόγιον (eulógion), the Greek form Gaffiot gives;^[2] Köbler refers it to eulogia (“blessing; blessed gift”).^[4] The medieval dictionaries treat it partly as a form of ēlogium “inscription, saying”, with which it was often confused, and partly as a form of ⟨eulogia⟩.^[5][6][3] The Greek source of ⟨eulogia⟩ is εὐλογία (eulogía, “praise, fine language”), from εὖ (eû, “well”) and -λογία (-logía, “speaking”).^[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its only ancient record is in the Bern scholia on Virgil's Eclogues, where it means a epitaph, an inscription on a tomb.^[1][2]

Semantic evolution

In medieval Latin it took over the senses of both elogium and eulogia.^[3][5] As a word or saying it meant a dictum, a speech, an apt answer or a narrative, and also an epitaph or a lament.^[3][8] In legal texts it meant a will.^[3] As a blessing it meant a word of praise, a greeting and a blessed gift, a present sent to someone.^[3][8] Du Cange also records it for a decision, a prophecy and a custom.^[8]

English eulogy was taken from it in the 15th century.^[7]

Timeline

• 1278 – A charter from Württemberg uses it of a last will.^[3]
• 1310 – The Council of Trier uses it for a decision or purpose.^[8]
• mid-15th century – English borrows eulogy from it.^[7]

Meanings

Noun

1. An epitaph, an inscription on a tomb.^[1][2][3]
2. (Medieval Latin) A saying, word or speech; an apt answer; a narrative or parable.^[3][8]
3. (Medieval Latin) A lament.^[3]
4. (Medieval Latin, law) A testament, last will.^[3]
5. (Medieval Latin) A blessing, praise; a greeting.^[3]
6. (Medieval Latin) A gift, present.^[3][8]

Related words

• elogium
• eulogia
• English eulogy

Usage notes

The MLW notes that it is often confused with elogium.^[3] Du Cange records Eulogium angelicum for the angelic salutation.^[8]

References

1. ^ a b c Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
2. ^ a b c d Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
6. ^ 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
7. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
8. ^ a b c d e f g du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre