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exploratus

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word exploratus

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
c. 250–184 BC, Plautus
Ultimate origin
Latin (explōrō)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin exploro
English explore
Latin exploratus

Forms

explōrātus (feminine explōrāta, neuter explōrātum; comparative explōrātior, superlative explōrātissimus); first/second-declension participle[1]

Etymology

Used as an adjective, it is the past participle from Latin explōrō (“to search out, examine”).[1][2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates it from Plautus.[3] In Terence a character looks round to see whether all is safe enough.[1]

Semantic evolution

It means not open to doubt, certain, and in law established: Cicero says someone's consulship already seemed assured to him.[1] It is also safe, secure, and with ab clear of something, as in Terence.[1] Of persons or things it is well tried or proved, as Cicero's well-founded confidence of crushing a man, and Gellius uses the superlative of a judgement made at a most carefully chosen time.[1]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus.[3]
  • 190–159 BC – Terence of safety.[1]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero of a certain consulship.[1]
  • c. 165 AD – Gellius of a judicious choice.[1]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Certain, sure;[1] (law) established.[1]
  2. Safe, secure; clear of.[1]
  3. Well tried, proved; judiciously chosen.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  2. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  3. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
Cite this entry

“Exploratus.” Etymologically, 20 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/exploratus. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·