inductio

Forms

inductiō f (genitive inductiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin indūcō (“to lead in, introduce”) + -tiō.^[2][1] In logic and rhetoric it renders Ancient Greek ἐπαγωγή (epagōgḗ).^[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is found from the Rhetorica ad Herennium and Cicero on.^[4] In the Rhetorica ad Herennium it means a training or introduction to an art: an artificial memory is one strengthened by a certain training and method of instruction.^[2][5]

Semantic evolution

In Classical Latin the word named the leading or bringing in of something: of water channelled onto fields, in Cicero, or of performers into the circus or on the stage, where Cicero speaks of the feigned introduction of persons.^[2][6] It also meant an inducement to act, and in animi inductio the turning of the mind to something, application.^[2] Cicero used it to translate Greek epagōgē, the argument that wins assent to a doubtful point from its likeness to undoubted cases;^[2][3] Isidore of Seville repeats the definition.^[7] Technical writers used it for the drawing of sails or coverings over something, and lawyers for crossing out writing in a will.^[2]

The glossaries give Greek eisagōgē and Latin persuasio for it.^[8] Medieval Latin used it for the leading in of people and goods, for the collection of crops and fines,^[9] for bringing a person into possession, for a summons, for bribery, and in logic for the argument from particulars to universals.^[10] English took it over in the late 14th century as induction, in religious senses, and about 1400 for the installation of a clergyman; the logical sense is from the early 15th century and goes back to Cicero's use.^[3]

Timeline

• 86/82 BC – The Rhetorica ad Herennium uses it for training in the art of memory.^[2][5]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it for the leading of water onto fields and for argument by induction.^[2][5]
• c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius speaks of the drawing of sails.^[2][5]
• before AD 223 – Ulpian uses it for erasures in a will.^[2][5]
• c. 560–636 – Isidore of Seville defines it among the forms of syllogism.^[7][5]
• late 14th century – English borrows it as induction.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A leading or bringing in, introduction (of water, of performers on a stage).^[2][6]
2. An introduction to an art, initiation.^[2]
3. An inducement to act;^[2] animi inductio, the turning of the mind to something, application.^[2]
4. (rhetoric, logic) Argument from similar cases, induction.^[2][6]
5. A drawing or spreading over (of sails, coverings).^[2]
6. (law) The erasure of writing in a document.^[2]
7. (Medieval Latin) The bringing in of goods or crops.^[9]
8. (Medieval Latin, law) Putting someone in possession; a summons.^[10]

Related words

• English induction

References

1. ^ a b c d 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 r Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
5. ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ a b Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
8. ^ Goetz, Georg (1888–1923), Corpus glossariorum Latinorum, Leipzig: Teubner; vols. VI–VII Thesaurus glossarum emendatarum, digital ed. CGLO, Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
9. ^ a b 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
10. ^ a b Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften