fundatio

Pronunciation

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

Forms

fundātiō f (genitive fundātiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from fundō “to found, establish”, from fundus “bottom”, with the suffix -tiō.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Vitruvius, whom he dates c. 84–c. 25 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant a foundation, a substructure.^[2][5]

British Medieval Latin used it for the action of building, as of a royal fortress.^[5] It was borrowed into Italian fondazione and French fondation, and Late Latin fundātiō gave English foundation in the late 14th century, “action of founding”.^[1][3]

Timeline

• c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it.^[4]
• late 14th century – English foundation is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A foundation.^[2]
2. (Medieval Latin) Building, construction.^[5]

Related words

• fundō
• fundus
• fundāmentum
• English foundation

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b c 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