gubernatio

Forms

gubernātiō f (genitive gubernātiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin gubernō (“to steer”) + -tiō (“action noun suffix”).^[2][1] The verb is borrowed from Ancient Greek κυβερνάω (kubernáō), to steer.^[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in Cicero,^[3] meaning the steering of a ship: in the De finibus he discusses a ship overturned through negligence in the steering.^[4]

Semantic evolution

Cicero already used it figuratively for the direction and management of affairs, the government of the state and the conduct of a plan.^[2][4] Later writers kept both uses;^[5] the Vulgate has the plural gubernātiōnēs in 1 Corinthians, as do Augustine's Confessions.^[5]

In medieval Latin it meant government or rule in general, the governing of a church, monastery or guild, and a governorship;^[6] British sources also use it of God's government of heaven and earth.^[6]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it for steering a ship and for the government of the state.^[4][3]
• 390–406 AD – The Vulgate has the plural in 1 Corinthians.^[5][3]
• 673 – Bede reports the Council of Hertford on a bishop's government of his people.^[6]

Meanings

Noun

1. The steering of a ship, pilotage.^[2][4]
2. (figurative) Direction, management, control.^[2][4]
3. (Medieval Latin) Government, rule, governorship.^[6]

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b c d e Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
6. ^ 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