Etymologically
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expertus

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 14:48. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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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]

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