indicatio

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɪn.dɪˈkaː.ti.oː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [in.diˈkat.t͡si.o]^[1]

Forms

indicātiō f (genitive indicātiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin indicō (“to point out, put a price on”) + -tiō.^[2][1][3] ⟨indicō⟩ is from in- and dicō (“to proclaim, dedicate”).^[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus' Persa, of setting a price.^[2][4] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant the setting of a price on a thing, valuation, value, as in Plautus and Pliny, and in the jurists, as in Ulpian, a statement, declaration.^[2][6][4]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a direction, indication, reference.^[7] British Medieval Latin used it for a declaration, statement, revelation.^[8] English indication (early 15th century, “a sign”) is from it, as are French indication, Italian indicazione and Spanish indicación.^[3][1] German Indikation in medicine also comes from it.^[5]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a price.^[2][5]
• 23/24–79 AD – Pliny uses it.^[4][5]
• before 223 AD – Ulpian uses it of a declaration.^[2][5]
• early 15th century – English indication is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. The setting of a price, valuation.^[2]
2. A statement, declaration.^[2]
3. (Ecclesiastical Latin) A direction, indication.^[7]

Related words

• index
• indicābilis
• indicātīvus
• indicātor
• indicātūra
• indicīna
• indicium
• indicō
• indiculum
• English indication

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g 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 Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
5. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
8. ^ 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