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Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [foːrˈmaː.ti.oː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [forˈmat.t͡si.o]^[1]

Forms

fōrmātiō f (genitive fōrmātiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from fōrmō “to shape” with the suffix -tiō, from fōrma “form”.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Vitruvius, of a design for a building.^[2] Köbler dates Vitruvius c. 84–c. 25 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant a design, plan for a building, as in Vitruvius, and the action of forming, as in Seneca.^[2] Lewis & Short note it is post-Augustan in its other uses.^[5]

In Medieval Latin it meant creation.^[6] British Medieval Latin used it for forming, moulding, the creation of man, and the casting of metal.^[7] Through Old French formacion it gave English formation in the late 14th century.^[3]

Timeline

• c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it.^[2][4]
• 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of forming.^[2][4]
• late 14th century – English formation is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A forming, shaping, formation.^[2]
2. A design, plan.^[2]
3. (Medieval Latin) Creation.^[6]

Related words

• fōrma
• fōrmābilis
• fōrmābilitās
• fōrmāceus
• fōrmālis
• fōrmāmentum
• fōrmaster
• fōrmātor
• fōrmātrīx
• fōrmātūra
• fōrmō
• English formation

References

1. ^ a b c d 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. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
7. ^ 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