expertus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɛkˈspɛr.tʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ekˈspɛr.tus]^[1]

Forms

expertus (feminine experta, neuter expertum); first/second-declension adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is the perfect participle of experior “to test, try”, used as an adjective.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Varro, whom he dates 116–27 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant well proved, tested, shown to be true, and of persons experienced, as Tacitus' expertus bellī “experienced in war”.^[2][5] Suetonius has the superlative expertissimus.^[2][5]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant expert, experienced, proved, tested, and as a noun one who has experience, an expert.^[6] It survives in Italian esperto and Spanish experto, and Old French expert with the Latin gave English expert in the late 14th century, “experienced, skilful”.^[1][3]

Timeline

• 116–27 BC – Varro uses it.^[4]
• 98–115 AD – Tacitus uses expertus bellī.^[5][4]
• late 14th century – English expert is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Well proved, tested; experienced.^[2][5]
2. (Ecclesiastical Latin) As a noun, an expert.^[6]

Related words

• experior
• experientia
• perītus
• English expert

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 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. ^ a b c d Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson