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inferioritas

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word inferioritas

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1200s Albertus Magnus More words from the 12th century
Ultimate origin
Latin īnferior
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin īnferus
Latin īnferior
English inferior
Romanian inferior
Latin inferioritas
English inferiority
From the same root
Latin īnferī ← īnferus
Latin īnfernus ← īnferus
Latin īnfrā ← īnferus

Forms

īnferiōritās f (genitive īnferiōritātis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin īnferior + -itās.[1] The DMLBS labels it a Medieval Latin word.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Albertus Magnus (13th century)[1] uses it in his commentary on the Sentences, where a degree implies a relation of inferiority and superiority between persons.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant lower rank, a subordinate position or lesser worth.[3][4] Roger Bacon uses it of lowness in space, beside superioritas and posterioritas;[2] Middleton denies any inferiority among the divine persons;[2] Ockham speaks of inferiority in spiritual matters; and Wyclif uses it of Christ's lowliness.[2] In the Latin of Poland it was also a term of logic.[5]

English inferiority dates from the 1590s.[6]

Timeline

  • 13th century – Albertus Magnus uses it of rank between persons.[3][1]
  • 1st half of the 14th century – Ockham writes of inferiority in spiritual matters.[2][1]
  • 1590s – English inferiority appears.[6]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) Lowness, low position.[2]
  2. (Medieval Latin) Lower rank, subordinate position, inferiority.[3][2][4]
  3. (Medieval Latin) Lowliness, humility.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h 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
  3. ^ a b c d Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  4. ^ a b Latinitatis medii aevi lexicon Bohemorum / Slovník středověké latiny v českých zemích (1977–), Prague: Academia; electronic version, Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences
  5. ^ Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
  6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
Cite this entry

“Inferioritas.” Etymologically, 13 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/la/inferioritas. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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