Etymologically
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inculco

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ɪŋˈkʊɫ.koː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [iŋˈkul.ko][1]

Forms

inculcō (present infinitive inculcāre, perfect active inculcāvī, supine inculcātum); first conjugation[1] Columella has incalcō.[2]

Etymology

It is from in- “in” and calcō “to tread”, from calx “heel”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of forcing something on someone and of impressing an idea.[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

Literally it meant to trample, press down, and to tread or stuff in, as in Columella; figuratively to insert, especially needlessly; to force something on an unwilling person; and to impress an idea on someone's mind, drive it home, as in Cicero.[2][5] Lewis & Short note it is classical especially in the figurative sense.[5]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to trample in, mix in, impress upon, force upon.[6] Its participle inculcātus gave English inculcate in the 1540s.[3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of impressing ideas.[2][4]
  • 1st century AD – Columella uses it of treading in.[2][4]
  • 1540s – English inculcate is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To trample, tread in.[2]
  2. To insert; to force on someone.[2]
  3. To impress, inculcate, drive home.[2]

Word family

  • inculcatio
  • inculcator

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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 c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson