Etymologically
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fallacia

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 16:03. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [falˈlaː.ki.a][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [falˈlaː.t͡ʃi.a][1]

Forms

fallācia f (genitive fallāciae); first declension[1]

Etymology

It is from fallāx “deceitful”, from fallō “to deceive”, with the suffix -ia.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Plautus, whom he dates c. 250–184 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant deceitful behaviour, deceit, a trick.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant falsehood, deceit, deception.[5] Medieval Latin used it for negligence, a shortcoming, and an error, a failure.[6] It survives in Italian fallacia and Spanish falacia, and gave English fallacy in the late 15th century, “deception, false statement”.[1][3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.[4]
  • late 15th century – English fallacy is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Deceit, a trick.[2]
  2. (Medieval Latin) Negligence; an error.[6]

Word family

  • fallāciēs
  • fallāciōsus

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill