Etymologically
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formalis

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [foːrˈmaː.lɪs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [forˈmaː.lis][1]

Forms

fōrmālis (neuter fōrmāle, adverb fōrmāliter); third-declension two-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from fōrma “form, mould” with the suffix -ālis.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Pliny the Elder, whom he dates 23/24–79 AD, and Pliny uses it of a bronze for making moulds.[4][2]

Semantic evolution

In Pliny the Elder it was the name of a bronze alloy used for moulds, and in Suetonius it meant serving as a model, theoretical, titular.[2]

In scholastic and Ecclesiastical Latin it meant formal, having a set form.[5] British Medieval Latin used it for formal, characteristic, and in medicine of a fever.[6] It was borrowed into Italian formale and French formel, and through Old French it gave English formal in the late 14th century, of form or arrangement, and in philosophy of the form or essence of a thing.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses it of a bronze.[2][4]
  • c. 75–c. 150 AD – Suetonius uses it of a model.[2][4]
  • late 14th century – English formal is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Used for making moulds.[2]
  2. Serving as a model; theoretical, titular.[2]
  3. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Formal, having a set form.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g 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 Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  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