examinatio

Forms

exāminātiō f (genitive exāminātiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from exāminō “to weigh, test” with the suffix -tiō.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Vitruvius, of weighing.^[2] Köbler dates Vitruvius c. 84–c. 25 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant weighing, balance, as in Vitruvius, and in Ulpian legal examination, scrutiny.^[2][5]

In Medieval Latin it meant investigation, inquiry, trial by hearing, and an ordeal, exāminātiōnis iūdicium was a judgement by ordeal.^[6][4] British Medieval Latin used it for weighing and testing metal, and figuratively for trial, and Bede uses it.^[7][4] Through Old French it gave English examination in the late 14th century, “action of testing; judicial inquiry”.^[3]

Timeline

• c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it of weighing.^[2][4]
• before 223 AD – Ulpian uses it of legal scrutiny.^[2][4]
• late 14th century – English examination is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. Weighing; balance.^[2][8]
2. Scrutiny, examination.^[2]
3. (Medieval Latin) An inquiry; an ordeal.^[6]

Related words

• exāminō
• exāmen
• English examination

References

1. ^ a b 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 c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
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
8. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press