informatio

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ĩː.foːrˈmaː.ti.oː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [iɱ.forˈmat.t͡si.o]^[1]

Forms

īnfōrmātiō f (genitive īnfōrmātiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from īnfōrmō “to shape, sketch; to instruct” with the suffix -tiō, from fōrma “form”.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant the formation of an idea, a conception, as in Cicero.^[2] Lewis & Short add an outline, sketch, first draft, as in Vitruvius' aedium sacrārum īnfōrmātiōnēs “plans of temples”.^[5]

In Medieval Latin it meant arrangement, teaching, instruction, and guidance.^[6] British Medieval Latin used it for conceiving, shaping, arrangement.^[7] Through Old French informacion it gave English information in the late 14th century, “act of informing, communication of news”.^[3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of conception.^[4][2]
• c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it of plans.^[5][4]
• late 14th century – English information is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A conception, idea.^[2]
2. An outline, sketch.^[5]
3. (Medieval Latin) Instruction.^[6]

Related words

• īnfōrmō
• fōrma
• English information

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
7. ^ 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