Etymology and origin of the Latin word formativus
- Confidence
- Established
- Formation
- Derivation
- First attested
- 1020–1087 Constantinus Africanus More words from the 11th century
- Ultimate origin
- Latin fōrmō
Etymology tree
From the same root
Forms
fōrmātīvus (feminine fōrmātīva, neuter fōrmātīvum); first/second-declension adjective[1]
Etymology
It is formed from Latin fōrmō (“to shape, form”) + -īvus.[1][2]
Earliest recorded meaning
It is a Medieval Latin word.[1] The MLW's first quotation is from Constantinus Africanus (1020–1087),[3][1] who speaks of a weakness of the “formative power” (virtus formativa) as a cause of a small head.[3]
Semantic evolution
It was used in natural philosophy and theology for what gives form or shape, above all in the phrase virtus formativa, the power that shapes a body.[3][4][5] Thomas Aquinas uses it as a synonym of informativus.[6] Robert Grosseteste applies it to the motion of the voice that forms a consonant.[4] As a neuter noun it meant “that which forms”, and Hungarian sources use it for what is symbolic or typological.[3][7]
Timeline
- 1020–1087 – Constantinus Africanus speaks of the virtus formativa.[3][1]
- 1188–1253 – Robert Grosseteste uses it for the forming motion of a consonant.[4]
- 1252–1274 – Thomas Aquinas uses it.[6][1]
Meanings
Adjective
- (Medieval Latin) Formative, shaping, giving form.[3][4][6]
- (Medieval Latin) Symbolic, typological.[7]
Noun
- (Medieval Latin) That which forms or shapes.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
- ^ Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
- ^ a b c d e f g Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
- ^ a b c d 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
- ^ Latinitatis medii aevi lexicon Bohemorum / Slovník středověké latiny v českých zemích (1977–), Prague: Academia; electronic version, Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences
- ^ a b c Schütz, Ludwig (1895), Thomas-Lexikon, 2nd ed., Paderborn: F. Schöningh
- ^ a b Bartal, Antal, et al. (1987–), Lexicon Latinitatis Medii Aevi Hungariae, Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó; online ed. ELTE
Cite this entry
“Formativus.” Etymologically, 7 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/la/formativus. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.
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