evolutio

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [eː.wɔˈɫuː.ti.oː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [e.voˈlut.t͡si.o]^[1]

Forms

ēvolūtiō f (genitive ēvolūtiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from ēvolvō “to roll out, unroll” with the suffix -tiō.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant the reading through of a book or author, since a book was a roll that was unrolled.^[2][3]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant evolution, development, unfolding.^[5] Medieval Latin used it for a lapse of time.^[6] British Medieval Latin used it for the unfolding of a tale.^[7] It was borrowed into Italian evoluzione and French évolution, and gave English evolution in the 1620s, first meaning “an opening of what was rolled up”.^[1][3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of reading through a book.^[2][4]
• 1620s – English evolution is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. The reading through (of a book).^[2]
2. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Development, unfolding.^[5]
3. (Medieval Latin) A lapse of time.^[6]

Related words

• ēvolvō
• volvō
• English evolution

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
7. ^ 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