exordium

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɛkˈsoːr.di.ũː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [eɡˈzɔr.di.um]^[1]

Forms

exōrdium n (genitive exōrdiī or exōrdī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from exōrdior “to lay the warp, begin”, from ōrdior, with the suffix -ium.^[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Ennius, whom he dates 204–169 BC.^[3] The OLD's earliest citation, from Lucilius, is of the opening of a speech.^[2]

Semantic evolution

It meant the warp set up on a loom before weaving, as in Quintilian, and in Cicero the starting point, the beginning.^[2] In Lucretius the plural meant the first beginnings of things, and in Lucilius it meant the introduction of a speech or book, a preface.^[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a beginning, source, institution.^[4] British Medieval Latin used it for a beginning in time, as of spring, and in anatomy.^[5] It survives in Italian esordio and French exorde, and was borrowed as English exordium.^[1]

Timeline

• 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it.^[3]
• c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius uses it of an introduction.^[2][3]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a beginning.^[2][3]

Meanings

Noun

1. The warp on a loom.^[2]
2. A beginning.^[2]
3. First beginnings.^[2]
4. An introduction, preface, exordium.^[2]

Related words

• ōrdior
• exōrdior
• English exordium

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
5. ^ 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