Etymologically
Log in

habilito

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 24 October 2026 at 06:00. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [haˈbɪ.lɪ.toː][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [aˈbiː.li.to][1]

Forms

habilitō (present infinitive habilitāre, perfect active habilitāvī, supine habilitātum); first conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin habilis (“handy, apt, fit”).[2][3][1] Its base comes from habeō (“to have, hold”).[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its first record is in the Notae Tironianae, the lists of shorthand signs, where it means to make apt;[3][4] the DMLBS calls it a Late Latin glossary word.[5]

Semantic evolution

Medieval scholars used it for making a thing fit or ready for something: John Blund of wood made fit to burn, Roger Bacon of matter made ready to receive forms.[5] The MLW adds the senses to adapt, to train or instruct, and to make ready or repair, and in church usage, reflexively, to make oneself worthy of grace again.[6]

In canon law it meant to give someone the power to hold an office, and to restore someone to a former status, absolving from excommunication.[7][8][9] English habilitate (c. 1600) comes from its Medieval Latin past participle.[10]

Timeline

  • 500–9th century – The Notae Tironianae list it.[3][4]
  • 1459 – A Silesian source uses it of making water fordable.[9]
  • c. 1600 – English borrows it as habilitate “to qualify”.[10]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To make fit or suitable, to prepare.[3][5][6]
  2. (Medieval Latin) To train, instruct.[6]
  3. (Medieval Latin, reflexive) To make oneself worthy of grace again.[6]
  4. (Medieval Latin, canon law) To empower someone to hold an office.[7][8]
  5. (Medieval Latin, canon law) To restore to a former status, to absolve from excommunication.[7][9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  3. ^ a b c d Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  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
  6. ^ a b c d Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  7. ^ a b c Bartal, Antal, et al. (1987–), Lexicon Latinitatis Medii Aevi Hungariae, Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó; online ed. ELTE
  8. ^ a b 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
  9. ^ a b c Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
  10. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com