Etymologically
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fatalis

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 18:04. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [faːˈtaː.lɪs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [faˈtaː.lis][1]

Forms

fātālis (neuter fātāle, adverb fātāliter); third-declension two-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from fātum “fate” with the suffix -ālis.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero.[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant of destiny, fateful, determining someone's fate; ordained by fate, destined; determined by external causes; and acting as an instrument of fate, all in Cicero.[2] Livy calls the Sibylline books librī fātālēs.[5] Wiktionary also gives deadly, fatal.[1]

British Medieval Latin used it for concerned with fate, ordained by fate, and of an appointed time.[6] Through Old French fatal it gave English fatal in the late 14th century, “decreed by fate”.[3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.[2][4]
  • 59 BC–17 AD – Livy has librī fātālēs.[5][4]
  • late 14th century – English fatal is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Of fate, fateful.[2]
  2. Destined, fated.[2]
  3. Deadly, fatal.[1]

Word family

  • cōnfātālis
  • fatalitas
  • fātāliter

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f 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 Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ 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