expressivus

Forms

expressīvus (feminine expressīva, neuter expressīvum); first and second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is a Medieval Latin word,^[1] formed from Latin exprimō (“to press out; to express”) + -īvus on its participle stem ⟨express-⟩.^[1][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The earliest dated record in the MLW is in Conrad of Hirsau, in the first half of the 12th century, who says that some signs signify something without expressing the truth.^[2][1]

Semantic evolution

In the 13th century Albertus Magnus uses it in natural philosophy of what presses out moisture, and British medical writers use it of a remedy that forces matter out.^[2][3][1] In philosophy and theology it meant what expresses or brings forth something: Thomas Aquinas speaks of a verbum expressivum, and the DMLBS has the Word of the Father as expressive but not operative.^[4][3] Innocent III uses it in his letters,^[1] and Filelfo has it in the sense “expressing”.^[5] English expressive came through French expressif about 1400.^[6]

Timeline

• first half of the 12th century – Conrad of Hirsau uses it for “expressing, signifying”.^[2][1]
• 1198–1216 – Innocent III uses it in his letters.^[1]
• 13th century – Albertus Magnus uses it for “pressing out”.^[2][1]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (Medieval Latin) That presses or forces out; as a noun, a remedy that forces matter out.^[2][3]
2. (Medieval Latin) Expressive, that expresses, declares or signifies.^[2][4][5]

Related words

• English expressive

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
2. ^ a b c d e f g Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
3. ^ a b c 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
4. ^ a b Schütz, Ludwig (1895), Thomas-Lexikon, 2nd ed., Paderborn: F. Schöningh
5. ^ a b Ramminger, Johann, Neulateinische Wortliste: Ein Wörterbuch des Lateinischen von Petrarca bis 1700, www.neulatein.de
6. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com