Etymologically
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indicium

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 16:02. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ɪnˈdɪ.ki.ũː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [inˈdiː.t͡ʃi.um][1]

Forms

indicium n (genitive indiciī or indicī); second declension[1]

Etymology

It is from index “informer, pointer”, from indicō “to point out”, with the suffix -ium.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, in indicium facere “to give information”.[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant disclosure, information, as in Ovid, and in Plautus indicium facere to give away a secret, lay information.[2] In Cicero it meant a token, a memorial, and a sign that happens to show a fact, an indication, evidence.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant evidence, proof, sign, mark, disclosure.[4] British Medieval Latin used it for a sign, token, proof.[5] It was borrowed into Italian indizio and Spanish indicio.[1]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses indicium facere.[2][3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a sign, evidence.[2][3]
  • 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of disclosure.[2][3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Disclosure, information.[2]
  2. indicium facere, to inform.[2]
  3. A token, symbol.[2]
  4. A sign, evidence.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  5. ^ 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