filtratio

Forms

filtrātiō f (genitive filtrātiōnis); third declension^[1][2]

Etymology

It is a medieval formation from Medieval Latin filtrō (“to filter”),^[3][2][1] a verb made from filtrum (“felt; filter”).^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The alchemical writings under the name of Geber use it for filtering: rock salt dissolved and filtered is left to solidify in a glazed earthen vessel.^[1][2]

Semantic evolution

It meant straining through felt or a filter.^[1] A British account roll of 1325 uses it, spelled feltacio, for lining boots with felt, and another source defines it as drawing a liquid off through a filter.^[3] In Neo-Latin it was a term of chemistry, listed in 1634 among the operations of the chemists.^[4] English filtration (c. 1600) is perhaps from French.^[5]

Timeline

• 12th–13th century – The works under the name of Geber use it for filtering.^[1][2]
• 1325 – A Durham account roll uses it for lining boots with felt.^[3]
• 1634 – A letter to Schickard lists filtrations among chemical operations.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin) Filtering, straining through felt.^[1][3][4]
2. (Medieval Latin) Lining with felt.^[3]

Related words

• filtrum
• English filtration

References

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