Etymologically
Log in

influentialis

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 24 October 2026 at 04:49. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Forms

influentialis (neuter influentiale); third-declension two-termination adjective[1][2]

Etymology

It is from Latin influentia (“influence”) + -ālis.[1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is a late Medieval and Neo-Latin word.[4][2] Nicholas of Cusa, in De docta ignorantia, lists an “influential” difference beside generic, specific, local and temporal ones, and speaks of influential spirits.[2]

Semantic evolution

It belonged to astrology and natural philosophy, for the power of the heavenly bodies acting on things below:[4][1] a Polish commentary pairs the influential qualities of the heavenly bodies with the hidden virtues of stones,[1] and the DMLBS quotes it from John Dee's Monas in an astrological sense.[4] Nicholas of Cusa also has the adverb influentiāliter, by way of influence.[2] The Lexicon Bohemorum glosses it “having force”.[5]

English influential came from it, first in the astrological sense in the 1560s, then as “powerful” from the 1650s.[3]

Timeline

  • 1560s – English influential is recorded in an astrological sense.[3]
  • 1650s – The English word comes to mean “powerful”.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (Medieval Latin, astrology) Exerting influence, especially of the heavenly bodies.[4][1][5]
  2. (New Latin) Relating to influence, acting by influence.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
  2. ^ a b c d e Ramminger, Johann, Neulateinische Wortliste: Ein Wörterbuch des Lateinischen von Petrarca bis 1700, www.neulatein.de
  3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d 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
  5. ^ 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