Etymologically
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honestas

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [hɔˈnɛs.taːs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [oˈnɛs.tas][1]

Forms

honestās f (genitive honestātis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from honestus “honourable” with the suffix -tās, perhaps shortened from ⟨*honestitās⟩, or from honōs “honour”.[2][1][3] De Vaan finds no etymology for ⟨honōs⟩ beyond a root ⟨*ǵʰon-⟩ or ⟨*gʰon-⟩.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's earliest source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC, and the OLD's first citations are from Cicero.[5][2]

Semantic evolution

It was a title to respect, honour, reputation, as in Cicero's turpitūdinem fugere, honestātem adipīscī; moral rectitude, integrity, as in Cicero; and decency, seemliness, as in Vitruvius.[2][6]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it was honour, riches, respectability, integrity, honesty.[7] Medieval Latin used it for riches and for benefit, advantage.[8] British Medieval Latin used it for dignity, good name.[9] English honesty (early 14th century, first “splendour, honour”) came through Old French honesté.[3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.[2][5]
  • c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it of seemliness.[2][5]
  • early 14th century – English honesty is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Honour, reputation, respectability.[2]
  2. Integrity, honesty.[2]
  3. Decency, seemliness.[2]
  4. (Medieval Latin) Riches; advantage.[8]

Word family

  • inhonestas

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h 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. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  5. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  8. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  9. ^ 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