Etymologically
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exhibitio

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Forms

exhibitiō f (genitive exhibitiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from exhibeō “to hold out, produce, present” with the suffix -tiō, from ex- and habeō “to hold”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Gellius, of producing a person in court.[2] Köbler dates Gellius c. 165 AD.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant the production of a person or thing in court before a magistrate, as in Gellius, and in Ulpian the maintenance, support of a person.[2] Lewis & Short call it post-classical and cite the Digest for the producing of a will.[5] Gaffiot adds the upkeep of public baths.[6]

In Medieval Latin it meant the bringing of proofs or witnesses before a court, a display, and an offer.[7] Through Old French exhibicion it gave English exhibition in the early 14th century, “action of displaying”.[3]

Timeline

  • c. 165 AD – Gellius uses it of production in court.[2][4]
  • before 223 AD – Ulpian uses it of maintenance.[2][4]
  • early 14th century – English exhibition is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Production (in court).[2]
  2. Maintenance, support.[2]
  3. (Medieval Latin) A display, exhibition.[7]

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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  7. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill