Etymologically
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graduatus

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Pronunciation

  • Classical: [ɡra.duˈaː.tʊs][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [ɡra.duˈaː.tus][1]

Forms

graduātus (feminine graduāta, neuter graduātum); first/second-declension adjective[1]

Etymology

Used as an adjective, it is the perfect passive participle from Latin graduō (“to take a degree”),[1][2] which the DMLBS heads as the deponent ⟨graduārī⟩;[3] the verb is from gradus (“step, degree”).[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The DMLBS's earliest dated example, from 1361, uses it as a noun: no graduatus is to read.[3]

Semantic evolution

It described someone who had taken a university degree, in such phrases as the graduated scholars of Oxford or a man graduated in both laws, and as a noun meant a graduate.[3][4] The Bohemian dictionary also has it for a man ordained priest,[5] and Polish sources use it of coins assayed to the legal standard.[4] English graduate comes from it.[2]

Timeline

  • 1361 – A statute uses graduatus as a noun.[3]
  • 1378 – Köbler's first record, from Latham.[6]
  • 1399 – A patent roll speaks of the graduated scholars of the University of Oxford.[3]
  • 1400 – A Kraków university document has magistri graduati.[4]
  • early 15th century – English graduate is recorded, for one who holds a degree.[2]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (Medieval Latin) Having a university degree, graduated.[3][4][6]
  2. (Medieval Latin, of coins) Assayed, of standard fineness.[4]

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) A graduate.[3][5]
  2. (Medieval Latin) One ordained priest.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h 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 d e Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
  5. ^ a b c 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
  6. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de