inductio
Pronunciation
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
- A leading or bringing in, introduction (of water, of performers on a stage).[2][6]
- An introduction to an art, initiation.[2]
- An inducement to act;[2] animi inductio, the turning of the mind to something, application.[2]
- (rhetoric, logic) Argument from similar cases, induction.[2][6]
- A drawing or spreading over (of sails, coverings).[2]
- (law) The erasure of writing in a document.[2]
- (Medieval Latin) The bringing in of goods or crops.[9]
- (Medieval Latin, law) Putting someone in possession; a summons.[10]
Related words
- English induction
References
- ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
- ^ 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
- ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
- ^ Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
- ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
- ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- ^ a b Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
- ^ Goetz, Georg (1888–1923), Corpus glossariorum Latinorum, Leipzig: Teubner; vols. VI–VII Thesaurus glossarum emendatarum, digital ed. CGLO, Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
- ^ 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
- ^ a b Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften