Etymologically
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induco

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ɪnˈduː.koː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [inˈduː.ko][1]

Forms

indūcō (present infinitive indūcere, perfect active indūxī, supine inductum); third conjugation, irregular short imperative[1]

Etymology

It is from in- (“in, on”) and dūcō “to lead”.[2][1][3] Some inscriptions spell it ⟨indouc-⟩.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's first citations are from Plautus, of leading troops to the attack and of persuading.[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to lead or bring into a place, as Livy's army led into Macedonia, to lead troops forward, to bring performers onto the stage, and in narrative to present a character, as in Cicero.[2][5] It meant to insert, to enter an item in an account, to introduce a custom or law, and to bring on a condition.[2] Of persons it meant to install, and above all to lead someone to a belief or action by persuasion, to induce, as in Accius and Plautus, or in a bad sense to deceive, animum indūcere was to bring oneself to do something.[2]

Physically it meant to draw over a surface, to put on shoes or clothes, to spread or smear on, as in Cato, and to erase writing by smoothing the wax, to cancel.[2]

It survives in French enduire “to coat”.[1] English induce and English induct were borrowed in the late 14th century.[3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of leading troops and persuading.[2][4]
  • 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of smearing on.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of presenting characters and of erasing.[2][4]
  • late 14th century – English induce is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To lead in, bring in; to lead (troops) forward.[2]
  2. To bring on stage; to present (a character).[2]
  3. To insert; to enter (in an account).[2]
  4. To introduce (a custom); to bring on (a condition).[2]
  5. To induce, persuade; to mislead.[2]
  6. To put on (clothing); to spread on, coat.[2]
  7. To erase, cancel.[2]

Word family

  • inductibilis
  • inductīcius
  • inductiō
  • inductīvus
  • inductor
  • inductrīx
  • inductūra
  • inductus
  • superindūcō
  • inductītius
  • inductōrium
  • inductōrius

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 l m n o p q 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 d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.